Cleveland inventor Garrett A. Morgan, a son of former slaves, had a gift for inventing life-saving devices, including firefighter gas masks and the precursors of modern traffic lights.
Updated: 7:37 AM PST, February 10, 2021
During Black History Month, a look at how Black Americans changed the world and everyday lives, from peanut oil to home security systems.
Many know the history of George Washington Carver and how he changed American farming. Fewer may be familiar with Marie Van Brittan Brown, a nurse who worked long hours and came home alone, late at night to her Queens, New York apartment, and ended up inventing the first home security system.
From changing the world to making everyday life easier, Black scientists and inventors have long imagined, then created, pioneering works, often without recognition or compensation.
January 29, 2021 01/29/2021 3:36 pm
Navigating at-home learning in the middle of a pandemic can be challenging for parents, especially if you are trying to help supplement your child’s online schooling with fun and informative projects.
This Black History Month, try incorporating some of the activities below into your family’s remote education routine.
Play red light green light
The classic playground game is a great way to introduce your kids to Garrett Morgan, the inventor of the three-position traffic signal. The inventor was a pillar of his community and co-founded the Cleveland Association of Colored Men, which eventually merged with the NAACP. He also invented a smoke hood that is the predecessor of modern-day gas masks.