How did Garrett Morgan save lives during the 1916 Cleveland waterworks disaster?

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During a 1916 tunnel construction disaster in Cleveland, Garrett Morgan saved lives by using his patented safety hood. After an explosion trapped workers and killed rescuers due to toxic gases and smoke, officials turned to Morgan. He and others entered the hazardous tunnel wearing his invention, which provided a clean air supply from the ground, and successfully rescued eight men. This event highlighted the effectiveness of his breathing device, which became widely recognized despite initial racial barriers hindering its sales.1