Traffic lights

 

April 27, 2018



The parking meter was invented in Oklahoma City in 1935 but another American icon, the traffic light, came to be years before.

Four thousand Americans were killed in traffic accidents in 1913, an indicator of the poor roads, top-heavy cars and lack of traffic rules. Something had to be done. The crowding at intersections was to blame, too, as cities grew and automobiles competed with pedestrians, carriages, bicycles and trolleys.

So, to prevent confusion leading to collision, police officers stood in the center of intersections, blowing whistles, making arm gestures and dodging vehicles. Typic...



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