Every schoolchild knows who Thomas Edison was. They’ve heard of Ben Franklin, Alexander Graham Bell, and Henry Ford. These men are celebrated as great inventors, their names etched into his
tory books and taught in classrooms across the country.
But what about Garrett Morgan?
He was one of the most successful inventors in American history—responsible for saving millions of lives. His traffic light system made roads safer worldwide. His gas mask saved countless firefighters and soldiers. Yet, most of us never heard his name in middle school.
Why is that?
Why was there no chapter—or even a few paragraphs—about him in your U.S. history class?
Black history is as American as apple pie, but the version taught in schools barely scratches the surface. The story centers on a few select figures: MLK, Harriet Tubman, maybe Muhammad Ali. But what about the hundreds of millions of Black Americans who have shaped this country for over 500 years?
Americans of African descent have been in continental North America since the 1500s. Their ingenuity shaped American cuisine itself—taking scraps and transforming them into delicacies that are now cornerstones of American tradition. Soul food, gumbo, jambalaya, and countless barbecue styles all stem from the creativity and resilience of Black cooks who made something extraordinary out of what little they had.
We built this nation’s infrastructure. We were directly responsible for its prosperity for centuries.
So how is it that 500 years of contributions have been reduced to just a handful of names and a narrative centered on slavery?
Today, we change that.
These aren’t just Black stories—they are American stories. And they deserve to be told.
The Traffic Light – Garrett Morgan
Can you imagine driving through a city without traffic lights? Chaos.
Garrett Morgan, the son of formerly enslaved parents, invented the modern three-light traffic system in 1923. Before his design, traffic signals only had stop and go, leading to accidents. Morgan’s addition of the yellow light gave drivers time to slow down, preventing countless crashes and saving millions of lives.
His invention was so impactful that General Electric bought his patent, and his model became the blueprint for traffic signals worldwide.
Why it matters: Every driver in America relies on Garrett Morgan’s brilliance every single day.
America’s First Clock – Benjamin Banneker
Before the United States even existed, Benjamin Banneker, a free Black man in the 1700s, built the first fully functional clock in America.
With no formal education, Banneker taught himself astronomy and mathematics. Using a pocket watch as inspiration, he carved out wooden gears and built a clock that kept perfect time for over 50 years—a technological marvel of his era.
He also played a role in designing Washington, D.C., after the original architect quit and left no plans behind. Banneker, relying on his memory alone, helped reconstruct the city’s blueprints.
Why it matters: Every timepiece in America—wristwatches, grandfather clocks, digital clocks—traces back to Banneker’s genius.
The Mailbox – Philip Downing
The convenience of mailing a letter without trekking to the post office? You can thank Philip Downing for that.
In 1891, Downing patented a street-mounted mailbox with a protective door, making letter-sending easier and more secure. His design became the foundation of the blue USPS mailboxes we see today.
Without this innovation, America’s entire postal system would look very different.
Why it matters: Every business, home, and individual who has ever dropped a letter into a mailbox has benefited from Downing’s invention.
The Modern Refrigerated Truck – Frederick McKinley Jones
If you’ve ever bought fresh produce, medicine, or frozen food from a grocery store, you owe thanks to Frederick McKinley Jones.
In 1935, Jones invented refrigerated truck systems, allowing food, medicine, and supplies to be transported across long distances without spoiling.
His technology was crucial in World War II, keeping blood and medical supplies fresh for soldiers. Today, every refrigerated truck and shipping container uses his invention.
Why it matters: His technology feeds America and keeps life-saving medicine available everywhere.
The Gas Mask – Garrett Morgan (Again!)
Before his traffic light, Garrett Morgan also invented the gas mask in 1912. Originally designed for firefighters, his mask filtered out smoke and toxic fumes, saving countless lives.
His invention gained national recognition when he used it to rescue workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel filled with poisonous gas under Lake Erie.
During World War I, his gas mask was adopted by the U.S. military to protect soldiers from chemical warfare.
Why it matters: From firefighters to construction workers to soldiers, his invention has been a life-saving necessity for over a century.
Automatic Elevator Doors – Alexander Miles
Before Alexander Miles patented his invention in 1887, elevator doors had to be manually opened and closed. If someone forgot to close them, people could fall into the elevator shaft, causing injuries and deaths.
Miles created automatic elevator doors, making high-rise buildings much safer. His mechanism is the foundation for every modern elevator today.
Why it matters: If you’ve ever stepped into an elevator and felt safe, you can thank Alexander Miles.
America’s First Open-Heart Surgery – Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
In 1893, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, one of the first Black doctors in the U.S., performed the first successful open-heart surgery—without modern equipment, antibiotics, or X-rays.
His patient was a man who had been stabbed in the chest. With no surgical precedent, Williams operated directly on the heart and stitched the wound. The patient fully recovered and lived for 20 more years.
Dr. Williams also founded Provident Hospital, the first medical facility to train Black doctors and nurses.
Why it matters: His breakthroughs helped shape modern heart surgery and medical education.
The First Color PC Monitor & Graphics Technology – Mark Dean
Mark Dean, an IBM engineer and co-inventor of the personal computer, holds three of IBM’s nine original patents for the modern PC.
In the 1980s, he co-developed the color PC monitor and helped design the ISA bus, allowing multiple devices (printers, keyboards, and disk drives) to be connected to a computer.
Later, he helped create the first gigahertz computer processor, revolutionizing how computers function.
Why it matters: Every time you use a PC, tablet, or smartphone, you’re benefiting from Mark Dean’s genius.
The Home Security System – Marie Van Brittan Brown
Decades before Ring doorbells, Marie Van Brittan Brown invented the first home security system in 1966.
Concerned for her safety, she designed a system that included cameras, microphones, and a remote-controlled door lock—the blueprint for today’s security cameras.
Why it matters: Every home security system—from ADT to Ring—owes its origins to her innovation.
Black Excellence is American Excellence
For too long, Black inventors and innovators have been erased or ignored in history books. Their work didn’t just benefit Black people—it transformed all of America.
So the next time you stop at a traffic light, mail a letter, ride an elevator, buy fresh groceries, or use a home security camera, remember:
Black ingenuity made it possible.
These aren’t just Black stories. They’re American stories. And they deserve to be told.
Want to learn more? Check out this resource: Black History Facts
Comments