The Development of Traffic Lights

The invention of traffic lights originated in England. In the early 19th century, in York City in central England, there was a custom of using red and green clothing to represent different identities of women. Red clothing meant married, while green clothing meant unmarried. Carriage accidents often occurred in front of the Parliament building in London, England. Inspired by red and green clothing, on December 10, 1868, A member of the traffic signal family was born on the square of the Parliament Building in London, but this traffic signal cannot be considered a true traffic signal.

The lamppost made into a traffic signal light is 7 meters high, and above it are bright red and green gas traffic lights. At the foot of the light, a police officer holding a long pole freely pulls a belt to change the color of the lantern. Later, a gas lampshade was installed in the center of the signal light, with two pieces of red and green glass alternately blocking its front. Unfortunately, the gas lamp, which had only been available for 23 days, suddenly exploded and self extinguished, resulting in the death of a police officer on duty.

After this incident, traffic signals were banned, and it was not until 1914 that the traffic lights were restored in Cleveland, USA. However, at this time, the traffic lights were no longer gas and replaced with "electrical lights". Later, traffic lights reappeared in cities such as New York and Chicago.