Garrett Augustus Morgan was born March 4, 1877, and died August 27, 1963, in Cleveland, is the creator of a prototype gas mask, patented in 1914.
His gas mask was used during the World War I to protect soldiers from chlorine gas fumes.
Garrett Morgan has several inventions to his credit. In 1923, Morgan invented the (three-color) traffic light with three positions to help the movement of pedestrians and vehicles, but sold the rights to « General Electric. »
The city of Cleveland, Ohio, awards him a gold medal for his heroic efforts.