Inventor, Businessman1913 - Present

Garrett Augustus Morgan

Inventor, Businessman at G.A. Morgan Hair Refining Company

Prolific inventor who created the three-position traffic signal and respiratory protective hood (early gas mask). Born to formerly enslaved parents, Morgan personally used his gas mask in a 1916 tunnel disaster rescue mission, saving many lives despite racial barriers.

Notable Achievements

Invented the three-position traffic signal, U.S. Patent No. 1,475,024
Created the Morgan safety hood (early gas mask), U.S. Patent No. 1,113,675
Developed improved sewing machine and hair straightening product
Awarded a gold medal by the International Association of Fire Chiefs
First African American in Cleveland to own an automobile
Founded the Cleveland Call newspaper

Expertise & Topics

Traffic Signal

Safety Hood

Gas Mask

Entrepreneur

Safety Equipment

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Patricia Era Bath

Inventor, Ophthalmologist, Humanitarian at American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness

Achievements

Invented the Laserphaco Probe for cataract treatment, U.S. Patent No. 4,744,360
First African American female doctor to receive a medical patent

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Otis Frank Boykin

Inventor, Electrical Engineer at Various Electronics Companies

Achievements

Invented an improved electrical resistor used in computers and pacemakers, U.S. Patent No. 2,972,726
Developed the control unit for the artificial cardiac pacemaker

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Marie Van Brittan Brown

Inventor, Nurse at Independent Inventor

Achievements

Invented the first home security system with closed-circuit television, U.S. Patent No. 3,482,037
Created the foundation for modern video security systems used in homes and businesses worldwide

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