Hello my name is Atavia. The person I chose for my Black History project is Garrett Augustus Morgan. An African American Inventor.He was born March 4,1877 in Paris, Kentucky. The seventh of 11 children born to Syndey and Elizabeth Morgan. At the age of 14 he decided to move to Ohio to recieve a better education.

In 1909, he opened a tailor shop, selling coats,suits,and dresses. While working he discoved something which lead him to his first invention.He noticed that a needle of a sewing machine moved so fast that is friction often scorched the thread of the woolen materials. So he developed a liquid that would reduce its friction. Then so on and so fourth he invented the first human hair straightener.

In 1912, he invented the Safety Hood patented as a breathing device better known to the world today as a Gas Mask. It consisted of a hood worn over the head of a person which emanated a tube which reached the ground and allowed in clean air. The bottom of the tube lined with a sponge type material that helped filter the incoming air. The other tube allowed the user to exhale air out of the device. He intended for the device to enable a fireman to enter a house filled with suffocating gases and smoke to breath freely for some time therein to perform his duties and save lifes.  

He invented the traffic signal also to save lives. After witnessing an accident on the road he need to keep cars,buggies, and pedestrians from colliding. It notified the drives on when to stop or go. After its patent in 1923 the rights to it were published by General Electric.                                                

             Timeline

• Birth-March 4, 1877

• Married Madge Nelson,but it ended in a Divorce.1896
• Black hair oil dye,curved tooth ironing comb; to striaghten hair in,1910
• Gas Mask 1913
• Stoplight 1923 
• Death August 27, 1963 At the age of 86

He even fought prejudice. He had contempt for people who thought they were better than others, either for social standing or color.His commitment for fighting racial prejudice was demonstrated by his membership and service as an officer in the Cleveland Association for Colored Men.He was actively involved in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).He remained a member until he died in 1963.