"Traffic Lights", accepted and awaiting press in M. E.Sharpe Press, Encyclopedia of Discovery and Invention.

I actually found the racial component of the history of Garrett Morgan's "invention" of the stop light to be fascinating, as it continues to be a touchstone issue for those who see it as a site to contest the accomplishment of an African-American inventor. What is fascinating to me is the debate hinges on the meaning of invention, that Morgan (already famous for inventing the Morgan Fume hood/Gas-mask used in WWI) was responsible for the first mass produced and successful variety is certain, but those seeking to deny him formal credit cite his patent filing following a number of other successful designs already filed. What is amazing is that Morgan's design was so simple and elegant as a manufacturing solution, not that it was the first attempt, but what then is the invention a successful version or the earlier "original" ones?