Illustration of Garrett Morgan
Art by Kingsley Nebechi

The Fire-Breather

The incredible story of a man who changed the way America fights fires

By Tod Olson
From the February 2023 Issue

Learning Objective: Students will synthesize information from two texts to examine the traits of a successful inventor. Specifically, they will learn about Garrett Morgan, an inventor who overcame racism to contribute to making lives safer.

Lexile: 600L-700L, 700L-800L
Guided Reading Level: S
DRA Level: 40
Other Key Skills: synthesizing, vocabulary, character traits, compare and contrast, main idea, key details, text structure, text to self, critical thinking, explanatory writing

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UP CLOSE: Synthesizing

As you read these articles, think about the character traits that helped make Garrett Morgan a brilliant inventor. 

IanDagnall Computing/Alamy Stock Photo

Garrett Morgan

Garrett Morgan must have looked ridiculous. He stood on a platform in the middle of Lake Erie in his pajama bottoms. Over his head and shoulders was a bulky hood. Long tubes poked out of its front like elephant trunks.

But Morgan wasn’t thinking about how he looked. It was July 25, 1916. Hours earlier, a powerful explosion had ripped through a tunnel deep under the lake. Two dozen men lay dying in a cloud of poisonous gas. It was up to Morgan to help rescue them, and he was counting on his strange gear to keep him alive.

The hood was Morgan’s invention—a mask that filtered out smoke and dangerous gases. For years, he had been waiting for the opportunity to show the world once and for all that it worked. Now, he finally had his chance. 

He was going to prove it—or die trying.

Garrett Morgan probably looked ridiculous. He stood on a platform in the middle of Lake Erie. He was wearing his pajama pants. Over his head and shoulders was a large hood. Long tubes came out of its front. They looked like elephant trunks!

But Morgan wasn’t thinking about how he looked. It was July 25, 1916. There had been a powerful explosion inside a tunnel under the lake. Many men were dying because of dangerous smoke. Morgan was there to help rescue them. And he needed his strange hood to keep him alive.

The hood was Morgan’s invention. It was a mask that filtered out deadly gases. For years, he had been trying to show the world that it worked. Now, he finally had his chance. 

He was going to prove it—or die trying.

Dorling Kindersley Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo (Sewing Machine); Topical Press Agency/Getty Images (Factory)

THE FIXER

At the beginning of the 1900s, factory workers made clothes on sewing machines. When the machines broke down, factories lost money. Garrett Morgan figured out a way to keep the machines running, pleasing the owners of the factory where he worked.

A Curious Mind

Garrett Morgan was born in Kentucky in 1877. Back then, racism was a brutal fact of life in America. In Kentucky and other states, cruel laws forced Black people like Morgan to go to different schools, theaters, and hospitals than White people. These places were often dirty and run-down. Black people were also not allowed to vote or work in many jobs. That helped ensure that many Black families remained trapped in poverty. 

In fact, Morgan quit school after sixth grade to help his family earn money. But he kept learning without teachers or books. He took things apart and put them back together—just to figure out how they worked. 

Morgan was determined to put his curious mind to good use. And so as a teen, he moved north to Ohio, where there were better opportunities for Black people. He soon found a job fixing up people’s homes. Then he started working at a factory that made clothes, curtains, and other items. 

In his free time, Morgan taught himself how to fix the factory’s sewing machines. Before long, he had invented a way to keep the machines from breaking. His boss was so impressed that he gave Morgan a better job and $150 for his idea (worth about $5,000 today).

By 1910, Morgan had become a successful businessman. He had his own clothing shop. With cash rolling in, he had time to start working on an invention the world desperately needed: a gas mask.

Garrett Morgan was born in Kentucky in 1877. Back then, racism was a horrible fact of life in America. Laws forced Black people like Morgan to go to different schools, theaters, and hospitals than White people. These places were often dirty and old. Black people were also not allowed to work in many jobs. As a result, many Black families were trapped in poverty. 

Morgan had to quit school to help his family earn money. But he kept learning without teachers or books. He took things apart and put them back together. He wanted to understand how they worked. 

Morgan was determined to use his curious mind. And so as a teen, he moved north to Ohio. There were better opportunities for Black people there. He soon found a job fixing up people’s homes. Then he started working at a factory. 

In his free time, Morgan taught himself how to fix the factory’s sewing machines. Before long, he had invented a way to keep the machines from breaking. His boss gave Morgan a better job and more money.

By 1910, Morgan was a successful businessman. He had his own clothing shop. He also started working on an important invention: a gas mask.

Up in Flames

In the early 1900s, fires were a deadly problem in the U.S. Millions of people worked and lived in crowded factories and apartment buildings. One spark could send a building up in flames. Once a fire broke out, firefighters would often choke on smoke before they could rescue people.

Morgan wanted to prevent that—and help firefighters save more lives. So he got to work.

After several years of tinkering in his workshop, he came up with an ingenious device. His new “safety hood” fit over a firefighter’s head and shoulders. Two breathing tubes stretched from the hood to the floor. During a fire, smoke and heat rise. So the tubes allowed the firefighter to breathe the air low to the ground, which was the cleanest available. Water-soaked sponges filtered out any smoke that came through.

In the early 1900s, fires were a deadly problem in the U.S. Millions of people worked and lived in crowded buildings. One spark could start a huge fire. Firefighters often choked on smoke before they could rescue people.

Morgan wanted to help firefighters save more lives. So he got to work.

After several years of tinkering, he came up with an ingenious device. It was called the “safety hood.” The hood fit over a firefighter’s head and shoulders. Two tubes stretched from the hood to the floor. During a fire, smoke and heat rise. So the tubes allowed the firefighter to breathe the air low to the ground. That was the cleanest air available. 

 George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images

DEADLY FIRE

On March 25, 1911, a fire broke out at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City. It was then the deadliest factory fire in history—146 people died. The tragedy made it clear that America needed better laws and gear to fight fires.

Masked Man

Cleveland State University, Michael Schwartz Library

THE LIFESAVER

Garrett Morgan’s safety hood would soon allow firefighters to breathe better during fires. That let them stay in burning buildings longer—and save more people.

Morgan knew his invention could save lives. But how could he convince people to buy it? Many White people didn’t want to do business with a Black man. 

Morgan wasn’t about to let that stop him. He hired White salesmen to show his invention around the country. Often, he went along, pretending to be an assistant. 

Morgan and his salesmen would set up a tent full of poisonous gas. Morgan would put on the hood and step inside. Minutes later, he would come out, alive and unharmed.

These demonstrations showed that Morgan’s mask worked. But could it get someone through a real emergency?

Soon, Morgan got the chance to find out.

Morgan knew his invention could save lives. But would people buy it? Many White people didn’t want to do business with a Black man. 

Morgan didn’t let that stop him. He hired White salesmen to show his invention around the country. Often, he went along. He pretended to be an assistant. 

Morgan and his salesmen would set up a tent full of deadly gas. Morgan would put on the hood and go inside. Minutes later, he would come out, alive.

These demonstrations showed that Morgan’s mask worked. But would it work in a real emergency?

Soon, Morgan got the chance to find out.

NY Daily News Archive via Fox Photos/Getty Images 

THE PROBLEM SOLVER

In the 1920s, city streets were a mess of pedestrians, cars, and trolleys. Accidents were common. To make streets safer, Morgan invented a new traffic signal that briefly stopped vehicles and gave pedestrians a chance to cross when no vehicles were moving. He sold his invention to General Electric for $40,000 (almost $700,000 today). 

Race Against Time

On that July day in 1916, 11 men were working inside a tunnel under Lake Erie. Around 10 p.m., there was a huge explosion that sent a cloud of poisonous smoke racing through the tunnel.

Two groups of rescuers went into the tunnel. But most of them were soon overcome by the toxic gas. Now, at least 12 rescuers, plus the 11 workers, were passed out—or dead—inside the tunnel.

Morgan’s phone rang at 3 a.m. The fire department needed him. Now. His safety hood was the only hope for the trapped men. 

If it worked. 

Morgan didn’t have time to change out of his pajamas. He gathered as many safety hoods as he could and drove to the lakeshore. Soon, he was on the platform in the middle of the lake, surrounded by firefighters, police officers, and workers. Only three of them were willing to put on the hoods. They stepped into an elevator and went down into the gas-filled tunnel with Morgan.

The minutes ticked by.

Five. Ten. Fifteen.

Had Morgan’s hood failed? Was everyone dead? 

Suddenly, the elevator sprang to life. Morgan and the three helpers were back. They dragged two limp bodies onto the platform. One of the men was still alive. 

Morgan had to make another trip down and back before more volunteers stepped out from the crowd. They put on the hoods and joined the rescue effort. In the end, they were able to bring back the rest of the bodies and save two people. Those two lucky men had Morgan’s safety hood to thank for their lives.

On that day in 1916, 11 men were working inside a tunnel under Lake Erie. Around 10 p.m., there was a huge explosion. It sent a cloud of deadly smoke through the tunnel.

Two groups of rescuers went into the tunnel. But most didn’t come out. Now at least 23 people were passed out—or dead.

Morgan’s phone rang at 3 a.m. The fire department needed him. Now. His safety hood was the only hope for the trapped men. 

Would it work?

Morgan didn’t change out of his pajamas. He grabbed as many safety hoods as he could and drove to the lakeshore. Soon, he was on the platform in the middle of the lake, surrounded by rescuers. Only three of them put on the hoods. They stepped into an elevator and went down into the tunnel with Morgan.

The minutes ticked by.

Five. Ten. Fifteen.

Suddenly, the elevator came back up. Morgan and the three helpers were back. They had saved one man.

They went back into the tunnel. In the end, they were able to bring back the rest of the bodies. They also saved two people. Without Morgan’s hood, those two men wouldn’t be alive.

Life of Learning

Morgan’s hood helped change the way we fight fires. It eventually led to more-advanced masks that block smoke and gas. But the inventor didn’t stop there.

One day, Morgan saw a girl get injured in a car crash caused by messy traffic. He was again determined to help. Eventually, he came up with a new kind of traffic signal. It briefly stopped vehicles at busy crossroads and gave pedestrians a chance to safely cross the street. The pause reduced accidents and made streets safer for everyone.

By the time Morgan died in 1963, his inventions had helped millions of people. His granddaughter, Sandra Morgan, says he never stopped learning. He hired tutors to teach him the things he never got to study in school. And he loved reading National Geographic magazine. 

“He knew you have to take the gifts you’re given and use them to be your best,” Sandra says. 

Morgan’s hood helped change the way we fight fires. It led to more-advanced masks that block smoke and gas. But the inventor didn’t stop there.

One day, Morgan saw a girl get injured in a car crash. He again wanted to help. He came up with a new kind of traffic signal. It stopped vehicles at busy crossroads so pedestrians could safely cross the street. That reduced accidents and made streets safer for everyone.

Morgan died in 1963. By then, his inventions had helped millions of people. His granddaughter, Sandra Morgan, says he never stopped learning. 

“He knew you have to take the gifts you’re given and use them to be your best,” Sandra says.

Could You Be the Next Garrett Morgan?

1. Curiosity

Shutterstock.com

Inventors ask questions about the world around them. If they don’t understand something, they research, study, and talk to other people until they figure it out. Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, taught himself how to code, or write instructions to tell computers what to do, by playing on his dad’s computer when he was just 10 years old.  

Inventors ask questions about the world around them. If they don’t understand something, they study and talk to other people until they figure it out. Mark Zuckerberg is the founder of Facebook. He taught himself how to write instructions to tell computers what to do by playing on his dad’s computer. He was just 10 years old.  

2. Creativity

Courtesy of Locker Board

Inventors see problems and find innovative solutions. Carson Kropfl wanted a skateboard that could fit inside his backpack and his school locker. So when he was 11, he created the Locker Board, a skateboard that’s shorter than regular boards but still easy to ride. 

Inventors see problems and find innovative solutions. Carson Kropfl wanted a skateboard that could fit inside his school locker. So when he was 11, he created the Locker Board. It’s a skateboard that’s shorter than regular boards but still easy to ride. 

3. Passion

Courtesy of Puttyworld

Inventors need to be passionate about what they do. They often have to build many prototypes, or testable models, to create a product that works. It took Aaron Muderick years of testing different materials to make colorful crazy putty that’s easy to stretch and shape. 

Inventors need to love what they do. They often have to build many prototypes, or testable models, to create a product that works. It took Aaron Muderick years to make colorful crazy putty that’s easy to stretch and shape. 

4. Resilience

©Laura Barr Photography | www.laurabarrphotography.com

Ella holds her Medi Teddy.

Not all ideas work out on the first try. Inventors must accept failures, learn from them, and try again. Ella Casano invented Medi Teddy, a teddy bear that covers an IV bag (which delivers fluids into a vein) to make it less scary for young patients. Her first prototype was a stuffed animal with a mesh pocket glued to the back. The mesh allowed doctors to check the medicine in the IV bag. But it wasn’t sturdy enough. Ella didn’t get discouraged. The 12-year-old went back to the drawing board and found a stronger material. Today, Medi Teddys are used in hospitals!

Not all ideas work out right away. Inventors must accept failures and try again. Ella Casano invented Medi Teddy. That’s a teddy bear that covers an IV bag, which delivers medicine into a vein. Her first prototype was a stuffed animal with a mesh pocket glued to the back. The mesh wasn’t strong enough. Ella didn’t get discouraged. Instead, the 12-year-old found a stronger material. Today, Medi Teddys are used in hospitals! They make IV bags less scary for young patients.

5. Courage

Kim Cook/AP Images for Scholastic Inc.

Gitanjali with Tethys

It’s scary to create something new. What if it doesn’t work? What if no one wants your invention? Gitanjali Rao was 11 when she invented Tethys, a device to test water for a dangerous chemical. Now, she has some advice for you: “Don’t be afraid to try,” she says. “Before Tethys, I had never started an invention. I was always too afraid that my idea wouldn’t end up being successful, and that fear held me back. Now, I’m not afraid anymore.”

It’s scary to create something new. What if it doesn’t work? What if no one wants your invention? Gitanjali Rao was 11 when she invented Tethys. That’s a device to test water for a dangerous chemical. Now, she has some advice for you: “Don’t be afraid to try,” she says. “Before Tethys, I had never started an invention. I was always too afraid that my idea wouldn’t end up being successful, and that fear held me back. Now, I’m not afraid anymore.”

What’s the Connection?

Choose three of the qualities listed in “Could You Be the Next Garrett Morgan?” and explain how Morgan demonstrated each of them as he created important inventions.

What’s the Connection?

Choose three of the qualities listed in “Could You Be the Next Garrett Morgan?” and explain how Morgan demonstrated each of them as he created important inventions.

This article was originally published in the February 2023 issue.

This article was originally published in the February 2023 issue.

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The nonfiction story "The Fire-Breather" is all about a famous Black inventor from history. Explore our Celebrating Black Stories collection to learn about the lives of other Black leaders, writers, and innovators from history and today.
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Step-by-Step Lesson Plan

Table of Contents

1. Preparing to Read

2. Reading and Discussing

Close Reading, Critical Thinking

3. Skill Building and Writing

4. Differentiate and Customize

Striving Readers, Advanced Readers, Multilingual Learners

5. Can’t-Miss Teaching Extras

1. Preparing to Read

Watch a Video, Introduce Vocabulary, Set a Purpose for Reading

  • Tell students they will be reading a story about an inventor. Ask students what they think an inventor does. Can they name any inventors and their inventions? Finally, ask them what character traits they think an inventor needs to be successful.
  • Distribute or digitally assign the Vocabulary Skill Builder to introduce challenging words in the article. Highlighted terms: filtered, racism, poverty, determined, tinkering, ingenious, demonstrations, innovative, prototypes.
  • Invite a student to read aloud the Up Close box on page 17 for the class.

2. Reading and Discussing

  • Have students read the articles independently or in small groups. They can read the on-level version (from the print magazine) or the lower-Lexile version. Alternatively, they can listen to the Author Read-Aloud of either level.
  • Discuss the close-reading and critical-thinking questions together as a class. 

Close-Reading Questions

"The Fire-Breather"

  • Reread the first section. What impression of Garrett Morgan does it give you?(character traits) Morgan seems determined, courageous, and committed to saving lives. An explosion in a tunnel under Lake Erie has put two dozen men at risk of dying from poisonous gas, and Morgan is determined to use a mask he invented to try to rescue them.
  • Reread the section “A Curious Mind.” Why did Morgan move to Ohio? How was his life different there than it was in Kentucky? (compare and contrast) Morgan moved to escape racism and poverty. In Kentucky, Morgan had to go to different, and worse, schools than White students, and because his family was poor, he quit school after sixth grade to work. In Ohio, Black people had more opportunities. Morgan found work, and his curiosity and inventiveness helped him get ahead.
  • What is the main idea of “Up in Flames”? (main idea) The main idea is that Morgan invented a gas mask, which was desperately needed to protect firefighters since fires were very common at the time. Morgan’s safety hood had tubes that took in air from low to the ground, where it was cleanest. That allowed firefighters to breathe easier during fires and rescue more people.
  • Based on “Masked Man,” why did Morgan have trouble selling his safety hood? What did he do to try to get people to buy it? (key details) He had trouble selling the hood because many White people didn’t want to buy something from a Black man. So he hired White salesmen and pretended to be the salesmen’s assistant. They demonstrated how the hood worked.
  • How does “Race Against Time” connect with the first section of the article? What do you learn about how things turned out? (text structure) “Race Against Time” returns to the scene set in the first section, at the explosion in the tunnel under Lake Erie in 1916. You learn that Morgan’s hood worked, and he and others wearing it were about to bring all of the bodies out of the tunnel. Two people survived, thanks to Morgan.
  • What does “Life of Learning” tell you about Morgan? (character traits) It tells you that he continued to be curious throughout his life. He also devoted his inventions to helping people. He invented a new traffic signal after he saw a girl injured in a car crash; he wanted to help prevent such accidents from happening again.

 

"Could You Be the Next Garrett Morgan?"

  • What do all the inventors in the article have in common? (synthesizing) They all have worked hard on their inventions. Whether they are displaying curiosity, creativity, or other traits, they have to apply their strengths diligently and keep working until their inventions are successful.
  • Which trait(s) of an inventor do you think you have? Explain using examples from your life. (text to self) Answers will vary.

Critical-Thinking Questions

  • Garrett Morgan’s inventions have helped millions of people, but most have never heard of him. Why do you think it’s important to learn about people who have been left out of history books in the past? (critical thinking) If someone has done something significant to help millions of people, they deserve to be remembered and given credit for their accomplishments. Sometimes people have been overlooked because of their race or gender, and it’s not fair that their achievements aren’t recognized. By learning about the accomplishments of a broader range of people, we have more people to be thankful for and inspired by!
  • Morgan’s granddaughter said about him, “He knew you have to take the gifts you’re given and use them to be your best.” What gifts do you think Morgan used? (synthesizing) Answers will vary. Students might say that he used his curiosity to figure out how things worked to be able to fix or create new items. They might mention his courage in testing out his safety hood, or his passion to keep inventing throughout his life.

3. Skill Building and Writing

Featured Skill: Synthesizing

Distribute or digitally assign the Synthesizing Skill Builder available on two levels. After students complete it, have them respond to the writing prompt on page 21.

4. Digital Spotlight

  • After reading the article as a class, be sure to show students our video “Beyond the Story: The Fire-Breather.” It will take them on a deep dive into other life-changing inventions from history.

Differentiate and Customize
For Striving Readers

The writing prompt at the end of the story asks students to identify three qualities that Morgan demonstrated. To modify for striving readers, work together to choose one quality from “Could You Be the Next Garrett Morgan?” and highlight details from the first article about how Morgan demonstrates that quality. Have them use this work to write one paragraph explaining how Morgan showed the character trait.

For Advanced Readers

Point out that Morgan observed what was needed, like a better traffic light, then went about inventing it. Invite students to think about something they think would make life better or safer, then think of an invention that could address that need. Have them write a description of their invention.

For Multilingual Learners

Preview section headers to help students predict what each section will be about and to spark interest in the story. You can ask the following questions for each one:

“A Curious Mind” What does it mean to be curious? (to want to know about things)

“Up in Flames” What can go up in flames?

“Masked Man” What are some reasons people wear masks? Who do you think wore a mask in this article? Why?

“Race Against Time” What is a race against time? What is a reason you would race against time? “Life of Learning” What might someone who has a life of learning be like?

Can't-Miss Teaching Extras
Explore A Special Collection

This story is perfect for teaching Black History Month. If you’re looking for more stories and resources for Black History Month, check out our special collection.

Meet Other Inventors

The book Young Trailblazers: The Book of Black Inventors and Scientists will introduce your students to more Black pioneers who made an impact on the world with their inventions.

Learn More About Morgan

This webpage from Britannica Kids about Garrett Morgan includes a short video explaining how Morgan’s traffic signal made life safer for drivers and pedestrians.

Be a Kid Inventor

The folks at Wonderopolis created this post about how things get invented. It includes examples of things that have been invented by kids as well as tips for what to do if you have a great idea for something new. For more inspiration, check out This Book Thinks You're an Inventor, an interactive book that encourages kids to notice details, question everything, and dream up new ideas.

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