The Man Who Has Saved Millions

    Garrett Morgan was born in Kentucky in 1877. Slavery had been illegal for 12 years. But racism was a brutal fact of life in America. 

    Across the South, laws forced Black people into segregated schools, churches, and trains. Like many Black families, Morgan’s parents were poor. Morgan quit school after sixth grade to help them earn money. 

    But he kept learning without teachers or books. He took things apart and put them back together—just to figure out how they worked. 

    Morgan was determined to put his curious mind to work. So he moved north to Cleveland, Ohio. He took a job sweeping floors at a clothing factory. 

    After work, he taught himself how to fix the factory’s sewing machines. Before long, he invented a way to keep them from breaking. His boss gave him a better job and a $150 bonus (worth about $4,000 today).

    Garrett Morgan was born in Kentucky in 1877. Slavery had been illegal for 12 years. But racism was a brutal fact of life.

    In the South, laws forced Black people into segregated schools, churches, and trains. Like many Black families, Morgan’s parents were poor. Morgan quit school after sixth grade to help them earn money.

    Still, he kept learning. He took things apart and put them back together, just to see how they worked.

    Morgan was determined to learn more. So he moved north to Cleveland, Ohio. He got a job sweeping floors at a clothing factory.

    After work, he taught himself how to fix the factory’s sewing machines. Then he found a way to keep them from breaking. His boss gave him a better job and a $150 bonus (worth about $4,000 today).

    Garrett Morgan was born in Kentucky in 1877. Although slavery had been illegal for 12 years, racism remained a brutal fact of life in America.

    Across the South, laws forced Black people into segregated schools, churches, and trains. Like many Black families, Morgan’s parents were poor. Morgan quit school after sixth grade to help them earn money.

    Even without teachers or books, Morgan continued to learn. He took things apart and put them back together—just to figure out how they worked.

    Morgan was determined to put his curious mind to work. He moved north to Cleveland, Ohio, and took a job sweeping floors at a clothing factory.

After work, he taught himself how to repair the factory’s sewing machines. Before long, he invented a way to prevent them from breaking. His boss rewarded him with a better job and a $150 bonus (worth about $4,000 today).

    By 1910, Morgan had become a successful businessman with his own clothing shop. He also started work on an invention the world desperately needed: a gas mask.

    In cities at the time, fires were a deadly problem. Many buildings were made of wood. One tiny spark could start a terrible fire. Firefighters often choked on smoke before they could rescue people.

    In 1912, Morgan came up with his “safety hood.” It fit over a firefighter’s head and shoulders. Two breathing tubes stretched from the hood to the floor. 

    During a fire, smoke and heat rise. The tubes allowed firefighters to breathe the cleanest air available. Water-soaked sponges filtered out any smoke that came through.

    By 1910, Morgan had his own clothing shop. He also started work on an invention the world badly needed: a gas mask.

    In cities at the time, fires were a big problem. Many buildings were made of wood. One spark could start a huge fire. Firefighters often choked on smoke before they could rescue people.

    In 1912, Morgan came up with his “safety hood.” It fit over a firefighter’s head and shoulders. Two breathing tubes stretched from the hood to the floor.

    During a fire, smoke and heat rise. The tubes let firefighters breathe the cleanest air. Water-soaked sponges filtered out any smoke that came through.

    By 1910, Morgan had become a successful businessman with his own clothing shop. He also started work on an invention the world desperately needed: a gas mask.

    In cities at the time, fires were a deadly problem. Many buildings were made of wood, and one tiny spark could start a devastating fire. Firefighters often choked on smoke before they could rescue people.

    In 1912, Morgan came up with his “safety hood.” It fit over a firefighter’s head and shoulders, and it had two breathing tubes that extended to the floor.

    Smoke and heat rise during a fire, so the tubes allowed firefighters to breathe the cleanest air available. Water-soaked sponges filtered out any smoke that came through.

    Morgan knew his invention could save lives. But how would he get people to buy it? Many White people didn’t want to do business with a Black man.

    Morgan wasn’t about to let that stop him. In 1914, he hired a White salesman to sell his mask. Often, he pretended to be the salesman’s Native American assistant. 

    Morgan and his salesman would set up a tent full of poison gas. Morgan put on his safety hood and stepped inside. Minutes later, he came out alive and well.

    These demonstrations showed that Morgan’s mask worked. But could it get someone through a real emergency? 

    Two years later, Morgan finally got the chance to find out.    

    Morgan knew his hood could save lives. But how would he get people to buy it? Many White people wouldn’t do business with a Black man.

    That didn’t stop Morgan. He had an idea. 

    In 1914, Morgan hired a White salesman to sell his mask. He pretended to be the salesman’s Native American helper.

    Morgan and his salesman would fill a tent with poison gas. Morgan put on the hood and went inside. Minutes later, he came out alive and well.

    These demonstrations showed that the hood worked. But could it get someone through a real emergency?

    Two years later, Morgan found out.

    Morgan knew his invention could save lives—but how would he persuade people to buy it? Many White people were unwilling to do business with a Black man.

    Morgan wasn’t about to let that stop him. In 1914, he hired a White salesman to sell his mask. Often, he pretended to be the salesman’s Native American assistant.

    Morgan and his salesman would set up a tent full of poison gas, and Morgan would put on his safety hood and step inside. Minutes later, he would emerge alive and well.

    These demonstrations showed that Morgan’s mask was effective—but could it get someone through a real emergency?

    Two years later, Morgan finally got the chance to find out.

    On July 24, 1916, 11 men were working on a tunnel under Lake Erie. Around 10 p.m., there was an explosion. It sent a cloud of poisonous smoke racing through the tunnel. 

    Morgan’s phone rang at 3 a.m. The fire department needed him—now. His safety hood was the only hope for the trapped workers. 

    Soon, Morgan was on the platform in the middle of the lake. He was surrounded by firemen, policemen, and workmen. Only three of the men would put on the masks with him. They stepped into the elevator and went down into the gas-filled tunnel.

    On July 24, 1916, 11 men were working on a tunnel under Lake Erie. Around 10 p.m., there was an explosion. Poisonous smoke filled the tunnel.

    At 3 a.m., Morgan’s phone rang. The fire department needed him. His safety hood was the only hope for the trapped workers.

    Morgan came to the lake. He stood on the platform. Firemen, policemen, and workmen were all around. Only three of them would put on the masks with him. They took the elevator down into the tunnel.

    On July 24, 1916, 11 men were working on a tunnel under Lake Erie. Around 10 p.m., an explosion sent a cloud of poisonous smoke racing through the tunnel.

    Morgan’s telephone rang at 3 a.m. The fire department needed him—immediately. His safety hood was the only hope for the trapped workers.

    Soon, Morgan was on the platform in the middle of the lake. He was surrounded by firemen, policemen, and workmen. Only three of the men would put on the masks with him. They stepped into the elevator and traveled down into the gas-filled tunnel.

    The minutes ticked by. Five. Ten. Fifteen.

    Had Morgan’s hood failed? Was everyone in the tunnel dead?

    Suddenly, the elevator came to life. Morgan and the three helpers were back. They dragged two limp bodies onto the platform. One of the men was still alive.

    Morgan made another trip down and back. Finally, volunteers stepped out from the crowd. They put on the hoods and started to help. In the end, they brought up the rest of the bodies and saved two men. Those two men had Morgan’s hood to thank for their lives.

    The minutes ticked by. Five. Ten. Fifteen. 

    Had the hood failed? Was everyone in the tunnel dead?

    Then the elevator came back. Morgan and his helpers were OK. They dragged two limp bodies onto the platform. One of the men was still alive.

    Morgan went down and back again. Finally, more people put on the hoods and helped. In the end, they brought up the rest of the bodies and saved two men. Those two men owed their lives to Morgan’s hood.

    The minutes ticked by. Five. Ten. Fifteen.

    Had Morgan’s invention failed, leaving everyone in the tunnel dead?

    Suddenly, the elevator came to life. Morgan and the three helpers returned and dragged two limp bodies onto the platform. One of the men was still alive.

    After Morgan made another trip down and returned safely, volunteers from the crowd finally put on the hoods and started helping. In the end, they brought up the rest of the bodies and saved two men. Those two men owed their lives to Morgan’s clever invention.