December 10, 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 original idea came from railway engineer J.P. Knight and was constructed by the railroad signal engineers Saxby and Farmer.
The first 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 the needed to be operated by a police constable. The constable would turn a lever for the gas lamp to fac the right direction of traffic
The first electric traffic lights would make their appearance by 1912. The electric light would be invented by Lester Wire. The first only used red and green lights. It was James Hoge that would design the traffic light that would have both red and green lights but with a warning buzz that would alert the drivers of changing light. It was a police officer by the name of Potts to create the first four way three color traffic light in Detroit Michigan. Now there a great variety of traffic lights.
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So cool! I didn't know about this :D
ReplyDeleteOkay then, I guess there is a day for everything so I am going to make my own day too...LOL
ReplyDeleteI didn't even realize the long history of the traffic light. It certainly morphed over time!
ReplyDeleteI love learning little tidbits of history. I am a trivia addict LOL
ReplyDeleteWow! It's true that you learn something new every day, I didn't know this x
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about this. Good to know.
ReplyDeletehow fun is this? I knew nothing about the history of traffic lights
ReplyDeleteNice! I had no idea where or how they originated. I hope this is a Jeopardy question someday :)
ReplyDeleteI always thought old traffic lights and railroad lights looked similar!
ReplyDeletegreat post! I didn't know about the history of traffic lights. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWow, that's really cool. This is the first time I've heard of its origin. Nice stuff.
ReplyDeleteI never knew about this. I love learning ne things
ReplyDeleteI didn't know they originated here in the UK! Thank you for sharing. Kaz x
ReplyDeleteLOL That is an interesting fact about the day.
ReplyDeleteWell this was interesting to learn. I had no idea, but now I do so great to know! - Jeanine
ReplyDeleteI didn't now the history behind them. The original does look like a train crsossing sign a bit, doesn'it? Coo.l. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't now the history behind them. The original does look like a train crsossing sign a bit, doesn'it? Coo.l. :)
ReplyDelete