"The son of former slaves, I was born on March 4, 1877. while still a teenager, I left Kentucky and moved north to Cincinnati, Ohio in search of opportunity.
My formal education never took me beyond elementary school. In 1895, I moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where I worked as a sewing machine repair man for a clothing manufacturer. News of my proficiency for fixing things and experimenting traveled fast and led to numerous job offers from various manufacturing firms in the Cleveland area.
In 1907, I opened my own sewing equipment and repair shop. It was the first of several businesses I would establish.
In 1920, I went into the newspaper business and established the Cleveland Call. I was inspired while driving along the streets of Cleveland that inspired me to invent a device that I am world famous for.
I also invented numerous other things including the gas mask."
Who am I?