Garrett Augustus Morgan was born March 4th 1877 in Paris, Kentucky to two slaves. When he was fourteen, Morgan was forced to move Cincinnati, Ohio in order to find work. It was in Cincinnati that Morgan was able to hire a private tutor while working as a handyman.

In 1895 Morgan moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked repairing sewing machines. After a growing reputation, Morgan was able to open his own sewing and repair shop in 1907. Throughout his life Morgan went on to invent several inventions that drastically changed the lives of all Americans and other people worldwide. On August 27th 1963 Morgan passed away at the age of 86.