First Tri-Color, Four-Directional Traffic Signal, 1920
Add to SetSummary
Detroit traffic officer William Potts created this three-color, four-way traffic signal in 1920. Previous illuminated signals used only red and green lights. The addition of an amber "caution" light made driving safer and the three-color signal became the standard by the mid-1930s. This first traffic light was installed at Woodward Avenue and Fort Street in Detroit, Michigan.
Detroit traffic officer William Potts created this three-color, four-way traffic signal in 1920. Previous illuminated signals used only red and green lights. The addition of an amber "caution" light made driving safer and the three-color signal became the standard by the mid-1930s. This first traffic light was installed at Woodward Avenue and Fort Street in Detroit, Michigan.
Artifact
Traffic signal
Date Made
1920
Creators
Place of Creation
United States, Michigan, Detroit
Creator Notes
Designed by William L. Potts of the Detroit Police Department in Detroit, Michigan.
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Driving America
Object ID
38.537.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of City of Detroit Police Department.
Material
Metal
Glass (Material)
Color
Red
Yellow
Green
Dimensions
Height: 24 in
Width: 10 in
Length: 10 in
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