Smarter than a 5th Grader; Garrett Morgan

Copied Charlotte Hunter, Smarter than a 5th Grader; Garrett Morgan, 2012, cotton fabric, ribbon, buttons, beads, and cotton batt, 53 x 46 in., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur S. Bresler, 2023.40.1

Artwork Details

Title
Smarter than a 5th Grader; Garrett Morgan
Artist
Date
2012
Location
Dimensions
53 x 46 in.
Credit Line
Gift of Fleur S. Bresler
Mediums
Mediums Description
cotton fabric, ribbon, buttons, beads, and cotton batt
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure group
  • Architecture — vehicle — automobile
  • Occupation — domestic — sewing
  • Animal — horse
  • Recreation — sport and play — golf
  • Architecture — vehicle — bicycle
  • Object — other — sewing tool
  • Object — other — money
Object Number
2023.40.1
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2023.40.1

Artwork Description

Charlotte Hunter 
born 1950, Cincinnati, OH
resides Cincinnati, OH

Smarter Than a 5th Grader; Garrett Morgan
2012
cotton fabric, ribbon, buttons, beads, and cotton batting
 
Charlotte Hunter depicts the accomplishments of Garrett Augustus Morgan in this patchwork quilt. Morgan’s inventions include a belt fastener and zigzag attachment for sewing machines; G.A. Morgan Hair Refining Cream; a breathing device; and his most prominent patent, the manually operated traffic signal. Morgan achieved all this success despite having only received a sixth-grade education in his native Kentucky.

With symbols of racist sports mascots, Hunter addresses how Morgan at times pretended to be a Native American man named Big Chief Mason, fearing that potential customers would not have faith in a Black man’s inventions. 

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur S. Bresler, 2023.40.1


We Gather at the Edge: Contemporary Quilts of Black Women Artists, 2025