Garrett A. Morgan
Born in Kentucky, 1877
Invented the Traffic Signal

Garrett A. Morgan was a very smart businessman that came up with several inventions. In fact, during the 1900's when the automobile was introduced as a new way to travel, Mr. Morgan came up with the invention of the traffic signal. He was motivated to do so after he witnessed an automobile involved in a bad accident with a horse-drawn buggy. This invention saved many lives during that time and continues to do so today. Mr. Morgan later sold the technology to General Electric Corporation for $40,000.

Mr. Morgan was born in Kentucky in 1877 and later moved to Cincinnati, OH in search of better opportunities. He had a thirst for knowledge because even though he only received a sixth grade education, he later hired a tutor to continue his studies in English grammar. Later, he moved to Cleveland, OH where he worked as a sewing machine repairman for a clothing manufacturer. As time progressed, he eventually founded his own garment company.

Mr. Morgan is also remembered as the inventor of the "safety hood," which was the forerunner to the gas mask. During World War I, U.S. soldiers used his invention to protect themselves from deadly chlorine gas.
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Chinese Immigrants

The Chinese were very instrumental in helping the United States build the transcontinental railroad. They were recruited to work on the project because the Central Pacific Railroad was experiencing a shortage of workers. While the Chinese workers were paid $26-$35 each month, worked 12 hour days, six days a week, the white workers were paid $35. The Chinese had to provide their own food and shelter, but the white workers were supplied food and shelter as part of their benefits.

Despite facing many challenges in building the railroad, the Chinese immigrant workers earned a good reputation for being hard working people. Building the railroad was not easy because the workers had to work with their bare hands and they worked in very extreme cold weather.

Once the railroad was completed, the heroic labors of the Chinese were forgotten because at that time they were severely discriminated against. In fact, they had no rights because they were not allowed to become naturalized citizens, they were not allowed to vote, and their children had to attend segregated schools. To add insult to injury, the state also imposed special taxes on "foreign" miners and Chinese fishermen.
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PROFILE

Mary Anderson

Mary Anderson is well-known for inventing windshield wipers for the automobile. When she observed how difficult it was for streetcar drivers to clean their windshields while driving, she came up with a solution to the problem. She invented a device with a swinging arm and rubber blade that could be operated from within the vehicle. By 1916, windshield wipers were standard operating equipment on all American cars.
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PROFILE

A. Philip Randolph
Born April 15, 1889
Cresent City, Florida
Founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters

A. Philip Randolph was famous for organizing the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters which was established on August 25, 1925. It was established because most labor unions didn't allow blacks to join. When they were allowed to join, it was only to replace white union members that were on strike. Therefore, the organization was established to fight against discrimination within the union and to increase income for the workers.

In February 1921, the union established its "Pullman Porters' Benefit Association" which provided benefits for sickness, incapacity, and death benefits. In February 1926, an employee stock ownership plan was introduced.
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