The Forgotten Hero Who Revolutionized Road Safety: Garrett Morgan’s Traffic Signal Celebrates 100 Years
Next week marks a century since Garrett Morgan, an unsung hero, was granted a patent for his groundbreaking traffic signal, forever altering road safety. Morgan’s invention introduced the concept of a cautionary period, the yellow light, which remains an integral part of traffic signals to this day. His forward-thinking approach sought to alleviate driving behaviors that persist even in modern times, such as drivers impatiently honking when the light turns green.
During the 1920s, vehicular traffic began to emerge as a possibility for middle-class Americans, shifting away from being exclusive to the elite. However, with limited standard infrastructure, the roads were often chaotic and inexperienced drivers added to the challenge. Horses, buggies, pedestrians, commercial vehicles, and streetcars all shared the same space, leading to frequent accidents.
It was during this tumultuous period that Garrett Morgan, an African American from Cleveland, found inspiration for his invention. While driving with his two sons, they witnessed a horrific accident involving a car and a horse-drawn buggy. As a young girl was thrown from the buggy and an injured horse had to be put down, Morgan was deeply affected. This incident prompted him to design, invent, and patent a traffic signal that would have a more prominent presence on the streets.
Morgan’s traffic signal featured a T-shape design, with movable arms indicating stop or go, powered by a hand crank. What set his device apart was the inclusion of a vital intermediate step between stop and go – the cautionary period or the yellow light, allowing all cars to clear the intersection. In his patent application, Morgan mentioned that his invention aimed to prevent accidents arising from drivers’ over-anxiety to start immediately when the signal turned green.
Even a hundred years ago, the yellow light served a crucial safety purpose. If drivers immediately accelerated upon seeing the green light, there was a high risk of colliding with vehicles or pedestrians still in the intersection. Morgan’s signal was born in a time of transition, as electricity had not yet been widely implemented on city streets. Its mechanical design with a hand crank provided flexibility, enabling easier adoption.
Public demonstrations played a significant role in showcasing new products during the 1920s, and Morgan seized the opportunity by installing his first traffic signal in Willoughby, Ohio. Despite a more rural setting, the intersection was large enough to demonstrate the necessity of his invention. Recognizing the potential of Morgan’s technology, General Electric (GE) sought to secure as many patents as possible to develop their own mechanized and electric traffic signals. They purchased the rights to Morgan’s patent for an impressive sum of $40,000 in 1923.
While Morgan’s mechanized traffic signal did not enter mass production, his idea of the caution light paved the way for the electric traffic signals we are familiar with today. The significance of his invention cannot be overstated, as it generated a paradigm shift in how we navigate intersections and prioritize road safety.
Aside from his contributions to traffic safety, Morgan’s legacy encompasses other inventions as well. He had previously been granted a patent for a smoke hood, which aided firefighters in entering smoke-filled areas for a limited period. Unfortunately, he battled illness for many years and passed away in July 1963 in Cleveland.
To honor Garrett Morgan’s invaluable contributions, his original traffic signal prototype is on display at the Smithsonian’s American History Museum in Washington, D.C. As we mark a century since the patent was granted, it is essential to recognize the vision and ingenuity of this forgotten hero, whose innovations continue to shape our world. Garrett Morgan’s traffic signal revolutionized road safety and remains an enduring reminder of the importance of cautious and responsible driving.
