Tell me about Garrett Morgan

Garrett Augustus Morgan (1877–1963) was a prolific American inventor and entrepreneur who made significant contributions to public safety [2, 3].

His most well-known inventions include:

• The Safety Hood: Morgan developed a breathing device, often called a "safety hood," which served as the forerunner to the modern gas mask [2]. It became widely known after he famously used the device to rescue men trapped in a tunnel following a gas explosion in 1916 [1].
• The Three-Way Traffic Signal: He patented a mechanical traffic signal [2]. His design featured a third "warning" position that signaled drivers to stop in all directions, which helped manage urban traffic more safely before the automated systems used today [2, 3].

Beyond these inventions, Morgan had a diverse career that began as a sewing-machine mechanic, leading him to patent improvements for sewing machine designs [3].

Despite his contributions, Morgan faced racial discrimination during his lifetime; for example, he was excluded from recognition by city officials when they requested awards for participants in the tunnel rescue [1]. Today, he is remembered for his ingenuity and is an inductee of the National Inventors Hall of Fame [2].