To the Rescue! Garrett Morgan Underground (Great Idea Series)

Garrett Morgan, a son of former slaves, got a job in a clothing factory. One day, Morgan invented a band that kept the sewing machines from breaking. Soon he got his own workshop and began inventing more things, like a hair straightening cream. He also invented a gas mask to save firefighters; it became famous when it was used to save people who were trapped in a collapsed tunnel, and it was later used in World War I. He even invented a traffic-signaling device.

Readers will enjoy finding out who invented these things and learning Morgan’s story. Things weren’t always easy for Morgan; lots of people discriminated against him because of his skin color. But he kept inventing and finding ways to solve problems. There are some really funny parts, like when Morgan wants to try out his hair cream on his wife, who won’t let him; he tries it on his neighbor’s dog instead. That picture is really funny too! The pictures give you a good idea of what it would have been like in Morgan’s time and make you very interested in his story. This is a great biography about an important inventor, told in an engaging, informative way.