Flashlight to Streetlight
Traffic Light at St Joseph St and St Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA
William Potts (May 1883 – 1947), a Detroit police officer, is credited with inventing the modern, three-lens traffic light in Detroit in 1920 (the two-lens, red/green traffic signal was invented in London in 1868). By 1920, Potts had become the superintendent, signal person police’ for the city of Detroit. Charged with finding a way to control traffic and with the old system of police directing traffic increasing outmoded (there were some two-color signals, with green and red lights already), Potts invented a 'yellow’ or 'amber’ light which removed the need for police to switch the signal.
Traffic Light at St Joseph St and St Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA
William Potts (May 1883 – 1947), a Detroit police officer, is credited with inventing the modern, three-lens traffic light in Detroit in 1920 (the two-lens, red/green traffic signal was invented in London in 1868). By 1920, Potts had become the superintendent, signal person police’ for the city of Detroit. Charged with finding a way to control traffic and with the old system of police directing traffic increasing outmoded (there were some two-color signals, with green and red lights already), Potts invented a 'yellow’ or 'amber’ light which removed the need for police to switch the signal.