December 10: First Traffic Light

2013-12-10bOn 10 December 1868, the first traffic light was installed outside of the British Houses of Parliament. It was installed to control traffic on Bridge Street, Great George Street, and Parliament Street. The idea came from railway engineer J.P. Knight and was constructed by the railroad signal engineers Saxby and Farmer.

The traffic light resembled a railroad signal. There were two gas lamps, a red and green lamp that were used for night-time use. The gas lamps were held by semaphore arms on a pillar. Because they were gas lanterns, they needed to be operated by a police constable. The constable would turn a lever for the gas lamp to face the right direction of traffic.

The first electric traffic light wasn’t invented until 1912 by Lester Wire. His still used only red-green lights. On 5 August 1914, James Hoge designed a traffic light that was, again, red and green lights but had a buzzer to warn of the changing lights. This design allowed police and firefighters to change the lights in emergencies. Then in 1920, police officer, William Potts, created the first four-way, three-color traffic light in Detroit, Michigan. His traffic light was installed on Woodward Avenue, the first paved street in the U.S.

Today, the traffic light has evolved from the three-color traffic light to many different combinations such as the flashing yellow arrow, and flashing red. Without the traffic light, there is no doubt the road would not be as safe.

–Elizabeth M. Hetu

Photo Caption: Patrolmen Harry Heise operates the first traffic light.


2013-12-10Meet the Author

I recently graduated for Northville High School. I was on the girls swim team and earned my varsity letter each of my four years. I like to read and spend time with my family and friends. Next year, I plan to transfer to Central Michigan University and I would like to major in Elementary Education.

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