A Traffic Solution Arrives
On December 9, 1868, London unveiled its first traffic light near Parliament. The towering 20-foot structure featured semaphore arms for daytime and red and green gas lamps at night, operated by a police officer. It aimed to tackle the city’s growing congestion and pedestrian dangers.
A City of Chaos
19th-century London streets were crowded with pedestrians, carriages, and horse carts. Accidents were frequent, with three to four deaths weekly. Railway manager John Peake Knight designed the signal based on railway semaphores, and Parliament approved the innovative project.
Brief Success, Fiery Failure
Initially, the traffic light was well-received. Drivers followed the signals, and plans to expand the system were underway. However, in January 1869, a gas leak caused an explosion, severely injuring the operating officer. The light was removed and never replaced.
A Century in Waiting
London’s traffic woes persisted until electric traffic lights arrived in the 1920s. Though more effective, they lacked the grandeur of the ornate Victorian signal.
In December 1868, London debuted its first traffic light, a towering 20-foot structure outside Parliament. Operated by a police officer, it used semaphore arms by day and gas lamps at night. It promised to revolutionize traffic control—until a deadly accident shattered its… pic.twitter.com/NkQEpf4ous
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