The Traffic Signal

Invented by Garrett Morgan

Written and Illustrated by Ondrico Jones

Inventor: Garrett Augustus Morgan

Garrett was born on March 4, 1877 in Paris, Kentucky. The first patented traffic signal was invented on November 20,1923 in Cleveland, Ohio. Before Mr. Morgan invented the traffic signal, drivers had to guess at the right time to drive across the street. This guess work made driving scary and unsafe.

Facts about Mr.Morgan• world's first traffic signal• first traffic signal to earn a patent• first automatic traffic signal•first signal with a yellow light

Invention:First Traffic Signal

The traffic signal he first made was a T-shaped pole with three positions: STOP, GO, and all directional stop positions. The third position stopped traffic in all directions, to let people cross the street safely.

Mr. Morgan sole the rights to his invention to General Electric Corporation for $40,000. That was a lot of money back then. Life is easier with the traffic signal because is making driving safer, keeps traffic moving, and saves lives. In my opinion, Mr. Morgan was smart, creative and a good inventor.

Garrett Morgan's 1922 invention

May 22, 2012 Linden Elementary School 700 Robertsville Rd.Oak Ridge, TN 37830  

Dear Garrett Morgan,

Thank you for inventing the first patented traffic signal. Your invention has changed the whole world by having drivers be safe on the roads. People everywhere use the modern version of the traffic signal.

Your Friend,Ondrico Jones