Premiering Monday, March 27th

Gas Mask Patent

An invention whose basic concept is still being used to save lives today was patented on October 13, 1914. Garrett Morgan’s device, called a “safety hood,” became the prototype for the gas masks used during World War l. Witnessing firefighters choke on smoke was Morgan’s inspiration to create a protective mask. Garrett Morgan, the son of freed slaves, also is the inventor of the traffic light.