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PROFILE
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.
Click
here to read more about Garrett A. Morgan
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PROFILE
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.
Click
here to read more about Chinese Immigrants
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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.
Click
here to read more about Mary Anderson
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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.
Click
here to read more about A. Philip Randolph
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