On this Day, March 4, 1877, African-American businessman and inventor, Garrett Morgan was born.

The seventh of eleven children of two formerly enslaved parents, he was born in Kentucky.

Like many American children growing up at the turn of the century, Morgan had to quit school when he was just 14 years old, to work fulltime. Morgan was able to hire a tutor and continue his studies while working in Cincinnati. In 1895, he moved to Cleveland, where he began repairing sewing machines for a clothing manufacturer. This experience sparked Morgan's interest in how things worked, and he built a reputation for fixing them.

Madge Nelson became his first wife in 1896, but that union ended in divorce. In 1908 he married again to Mary Anne Hassek, and they had three sons.

His businesses thrived. In 1907, he and Mary Anne opened Morgan's Cut Rate Ladies Clothing Store. The shop, that made coats, suits, dresses, and other clothing, ultimately had 32 employees.

Around 1910, his interes