This Black History Month, we’re celebrating three innovators whose work shaped the way we build, drive, and experience automobiles today.
McKinley Thompson Jr.: Designing the Future of Cars
Automobile design is more than just function– it’s about form, identity, and vision. Few understood this better than McKinley Thompson Jr., who became the first Black automobile designer in 1956.
Thompson was a creative force in the industry, contributing to early Mustang sketches before going on to shape one of the most iconic vehicles of all time: the Ford Bronco. His work helped define the rugged, go-anywhere aesthetic that made the Bronco a legend, and his influence can still be seen in modern car design today.
Garrett Morgan: The Traffic Light Pioneer
At the turn of the 20th century, American streets were chaotic. Early traffic signals had only two options—Stop and Go—which meant drivers had no warning before the light changed. The result? Sudden stops, frequent collisions, and confusion at intersections.
Enter Garrett Morgan, an inventor and entrepreneur who saw the problem and created a simple but revolutionary solution: the three-position traffic signal. By introducing a “Caution” phase—what we now recognize as the yellow light—Morgan made intersections safer and gave drivers time to react. His invention became the foundation for modern traffic control, improving road safety for generations to come.
