Blacks invented despite the odds -- Part 6


Note: This is the sixth of a seven-part series about black inventors in honor of Black History Month.

By Craig T. Greenlee

At the turn of the 20th century, America's population was beginning to become predominantly urban. This meant providing additional services such as fire protection of city residents.

Being a fireman during the early 1900s had  more than its share of dangers. Smoke inhalation was one of the major occupational hazards. But that was no longer the case after 1914, thanks to the invention of the gas mask by Garrett A. Morgan.

Inventive simplicity

The Morgan Safety Hood, as it was called, was a simple but effective device. Its construction kept smoke and noxious fumes out while the air inhaled remained cool and free of smoke particles.

Morgan, a native of Kentucky, may have been the first black inventor to use marketing strategies to bolster the sales of an invention. He used advertising in newspapers and firemen's magazines and delighted in giving personal demonstrations.

In 1916, Morgan got the opportunity to make his most dramatic demonstration. Early one summer morning, an explosion caused a fire in a tunnel project that was being built under Lake Erie in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Safety hood used to rescue trapped workers

Morgan was awakened and asked to help rescue workers who were trapped in the tunnel. Police and firemen on the scene were reluctant to go inside because three rescue teams had been sent in and none had returned.

Armed with safety hoods, Morgan and his cohorts entered the tunnel and began rescuing people. After a few trips, others joined the effort (using the hoods) and averted what could have been a large-scale tragedy.

The national wire services picked up the story and the safety hood became a valuable piece of equipment for fire departments all across the country. Sales were said to be tremendous.

Morgan's first invention was a button fastener for an improved
sewing machine.
Gas mask used in Word War I

Morgan's invention was used in times of war and well as times of peace. During World War I, the Allies found the hood useful in combating the Germans chlorine gas attacks. U.S. armed forces also relied on the mask when America entered the conflict. 

The "war hood" was altered from the fireman's model, which included its own air supply for the individual.

Safety was now a full-blown vocation for Morgan. His next invention helped to solve safety issues caused by the huge number of automobiles on the city streets. Traffic accidents at intersections were commonplace and posed a constant threat to motorists and pedestrians, especially children.

Traffic light made streets safe for everyone

The traffic signal that Morgan perfected in 1923 did so much to improve the situation. Not only did his traffic signal route traffic in multiple directions and under varied circumstances.

For night use, the signal had a warning bell and lights. This particular invention is considered to be the first true traffic control signal. It remained in use until replaced by today's automatically-timed electric traffic light. Morgan sold his invention to the General Electric Co.

Next -- Frederick Jones' inventions were crucial 
for America during World War II



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