Today I enjoyed a video of my great-grandson Dhamir learn his colors.  As his Dad prompted him with clues of how the colors were used, he would then ask Dhamir to hand him the correct crayon color.

Green As In Go

His Dad asked, "Give me the color Green."

Dhamir said, "Green for go". He then handed him the green crayon.

From this video I am prompted to write about a great African American inventor, Garrett Morgan.

Garrett Morgan, born March 4, 1877, like most African American children born during that time, had to work at a young age to add finances to the household. 

Even though he had to quit going to school and work, later on he would hire a tutor to help him learn. 

Garrett had the talents and skills for making things better.  He served as a sewing machine repair man and would later open his own equipment and repair shop in 1907.  In 1909, he would open a tailoring shop.  The garments sewn in the shop were made by Garrett and his employees. 

See The Problem, Solve It

Garrett had a a thing for solving problems.  When Henry Ford invented the automobile, it was during the time when the other form of transportation was horse drawn carriages. 

Can you imagine driving in a new invention, (the automobile, nothing like the advanced automobiles we're used to) and sharing the road with a horse drawn carriage? 

While there were two light traffic lights at the time, Garrett knew that there was something more needed to prevent accidents.  After seeing a collision between an automobile and horse drawn carriage, he began to design the much need three traffic light we used today!

By adding the yellow light, which indicated 'slow down' or caution, his invention saved lives. 

Actually, he was the first to apply for and receive a U.S. patent for the three position traffic signals. 

He Didn't Stop Inventing

Garrett would continue to invent other items that would be used to bring safety to the entire world.  

He invented the gas mask! At that time it was called a 'safety hood'.  Garrett used it to and saved two lives and recovered four bodies in a drilling tunnel accident. 

Because of racial discrimination Garrett didn't receive the full recognition he deserved for his many inventions. 

However, we at GBOC acknowledge his ability to see a need and care enough to create inventions that would prove to save lives and make our living conditions  better. 

So the next time you're stopped at an intersection at a traffic light, remember that it was Garrett Morgan, who invented it.

Picture Credit- Garrett Morgan, @Wikepedia. com

Traffic Light- Elided-Suarez @ Unsplash.com