Black Invention Myths Exposed - Volume One - Garrett A. Morgan and his Traffic Signal

Perhaps you've heard the claims: Were it not for the genius and energy of African-American inventors, we might find ourselves in a world without traffic lights, peanut butter, blood banks, light bulb filaments, and a vast number of other things we now take for granted but could hardly imagine life without.

Such beliefs usually originate in books or articles about black history. Since many of the authors have little interest in the history of technology outside of advertising black contributions to it, their stories tend to be fraught with misunderstandings, wishful thinking, or fanciful embellishments with no historical basis. The lack of historical perspective leads to extravagant overestimations of originality and importance: sometimes a slightly modified version of a pre-existing piece of technology is mistaken for the first invention of its type; sometimes a patent or innovation with little or no lasting value is portrayed as a major advance, even if there's no real evidence it was ever used.

Unfortunately, some of the errors and exaggerations have acquired an illusion of credibility by repetition in mainstream outlets, especially during Black History Month (see examples for the traffic light and ironing board). When myths go unchallenged for too long, they begin to eclipse the truth. Thus I decided to put some records straight. Although this page does not cover every dubious invention claim floating around out there, it should at least serve as a warning never to take any such claim for granted.

Each item in the series is presented with its supposed black originator beneath it along with the year it was supposedly invented, followed by something about the real origin of the invention or at least an earlier instance of it.

These videos are in no way meant to degrade the African American people or their culture. It serves only to present the facts, and bring to light the mass propagation of false information among those who chose to segregate themselves because of their own color. We as a human race have much to be proud of, and it is the advancements of mankind, not the advancements of a color of man, which should be the focus. Be not proud of a false history!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• African
• American
• Innovation
• Invention
• Myth

[Ultranothing]

have a little project for all of those who claim that I am, or this video is "racist":

Go and look up sources that claim Garrett Morgan invented the first traffic light, received the 1st patent for traffic light, etc.

Check out ANY source that claims he invented the FIRST anything.

And show me just ONE of those sources who DO NOT MENTION HIS RACE.

Find ONE that doesn't call him a "black" inventor or his invention a "black" one.

Then, come back here and tell me who the "racist" is.

[Ultranothing]

I "lost again"?

You're backpedaling all the way to "those were not my comments" and you have the balls to tell anyone else they've "lost"?

You were made to look like such a fool, that you had to resort to blaming it on "too many glasses of wine" AND that it wasn't even you who made the comments.

So you were off drinking wine, somewhere, while someone was hacking into your account.

If it was someone else, why mention the wine?

You know very well who "lost."

Time to face reality, Jayell!

[Ultranothing]

Those were not your comments? You had too many glasses of wine and you believe someone also hacked into your account?

So what is it? Were you drunk when you made the comments, or was it a different person completely? Or do you become a different person when you're drinking?

And tell me something else:

This person who "hacked into" your account? Does he ALSO believe that Garrett Morgan invented the traffic signal?

You and this hacker have quite a bit in common!

You're pathetic!

[jayelldude]

exactly...those were not my comments

I must have had too many glasses of wine

but i think someone hacked into my account

so you lost again

[Ultranothing]

"ha ha ha ha...those are great comments but they are not my comments"

You do realize that when you make a comment, your YouTube username appears directly underneath the comment, showing clearly that you are, indeed, the person who made the comments.

Oh, let me guess, that was someone else using your computer and you have no idea who it was or what they said, but you certainly don't condone it or hold any of those beliefs, right?

Haven't heard that one before.

[Ultranothing]

"takfam is a asian cat eater...but that does not make me racist"

Dear God,

Why must I live in a world with people as stupid and ignorant as this? Sincerely, Me.

[Ultranothing]

"that was a personal attack on a youtube bull by the name of takfam f**k takfam and i don't care what i said about him"

It doesn't matter whether or not you "care about what [you] said," the fact is that you DID say it, and it clearly shows you're a hypocritical butthurt racist who can't accept the truth about it, my video, and I'm guessing your own self.

Garrett Morgan didn't invent the first traffic signal, receive the first patent for one, or have any real impact on its evolution.

Sorry!

[Ultranothing]

You're the crybaby. I am simply stating the truth.

Oh, and that reference you keep harping on about? It's a reference in the Wikipedia page on Garrett Morgan...number 13, in fact...and guess who's the one who edited that article and added those references? Yours truly.

That reference is one of many, whose aim is to highlight the many myths, lies, half-truths and embellishments found online and in print regarding the legacy and achievements of Mr. Morgan.

You might try reading the article!

[Ultranothing]

Could you please point out any single section of the video that you find to be dishonest, misleading or inaccurate?

[Ultranothing]

What I am trying to tell you is that your "touchdown" proof, and the source of all your joyous celebration, is actually a Google result to a Wikipedia article written in part by ME (check the IP and match it up with my YouTube account if you've got the technical knowhow).

I added that and many other references to the article. The one you so cheerfully point to as your "proof" is from a speech by Bill Clinton, published by the GPO on 5/19/1997.

It is to show false claims attributed to Morgan.