Garrett Morgan, an African American inventor, patented the 'Safety Hood' in 1914, which used a long tube to reach clean air near the ground. He famously used it to rescue workers trapped in a smoke-filled tunnel under Lake Erie. Following the first large-scale chemical gas attacks in World War I, Morgan's design was refined into the modern gas mask, incorporating activated charcoal filters to neutralize toxic fumes. The gas mask became essential survival gear for soldiers and civilians alike. Beyond the battlefield, the invention led to improved safety equipment for firefighters and industrial workers. It represents a vital advancement in personal protective equipment (PPE), allowing humans to survive in environments that would otherwise be instantly lethal.