Garrett Morgan 1877 to 1963
inventor- traffic light / gas mask / hair- straightening preparation {perm}
Garrett Morgan is most famous for his gas mask {today's firefighter mask} which he used to save many people lives from a tunnel filled with toxic fumes!
Mr. Morgan moved to Cleveland, Ohio when he was very young {about 15 yrs}. He started fixing sewing machines and working in a clothing manufacturing shop as a young man. In 1907 he opened his own business a repair shop fixing sewing machines and shoes. He soon became a prominent figure in the Cleveland area. In the 1920s he help co- found a newspaper called the Cleveland Call and Post. The Cleveland Call and Post was a newspaper that dealt with events in the Black community.
He also was part of the movement co-founding the Cleveland Association of Colored Men. Where he was the treasurer. This association later merged with the N.A.A.C.P.
When experimenting with a liquid to make his sewing needles shine, he discovered by accident that the liquid also straightened the clothes {pressed them}. Which he also used in his tailoring shop he a also found years earlier.
After experimenting with the liquid more he was able to form it into a cream or foam. He also found out it straightened hair! Then open the G.A Morgan Hair Refining Co. This hair company sold dyes and curved tooth iron combs for hair!
The traffic light we use today was the prototype that Mr. Garrett invented. It had two (2) of the main three (3) features we use today. A call to stop complete, so that other cars, pedestrians and animal pulled carts could cross safely and in a timely manner. The next feature was the yield, to come to a slow stop.
There are many rumors circling Mr. Garrett traffic light. Some say his patent was sold to G.E {General Electric}, others say it was stolen. But in the official history of automobiles and traffic he does not get credit for this invention!
*NOTE
Patent theft is almost common practice in corporate America to this day! If you keep up with the business sector, companies are in and out of court everyday from the biggest to the smallest. Facebook and Microsoft Co have been the biggest case in recent history. Both had movies made about the theft of patent and company ideas and concepts!
One of the biggest thieves in American history was Thomas Edison! He was known for paying people of at the patient office to put other peoples applications at the bottom or back of the list until he submitted his! In which was put first!
Mr. Garrett biggest contribution was inspiration, In many companies Black people run these companies for other people making them every RICH! Take those skills and start your business you already run the company anyway!
*NOTE
True fact stated in the Biography of John D. Rockefeller Sr., who at one time was the richest man in America if not the world! He said when at home over dinner he would run ideas by his Black maid to refine them into business plans and strategies. Then they would joke "if she was a White man, she would be rich"! Enough said!
Peace, love and Unity
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