Railroad Crossing Warning Signal, Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railroad, July 1926
THF286554 / Railroad Crossing Warning Signal, Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railroad, July 1926
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Artifact Overview
The first automated, flashing red light railroad crossing signal appeared around 1913. The flashing lights mimicked the motion of a lantern being swung back and forth -- long a signal for "stop" on American railroads. The X-shaped crossbuck sign, in wide use by 1900, was inspired by the skull and crossbones -- a universal symbol for danger.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Photographic print
Date Made
22 July 1926
Subject Date
22 July 1926
Collection Title
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
64.167.548.P.833.47237
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Material
Paper (Fiber product)
Linen (Material)
Technique
Gelatin silver process
Color
Black-and-white (Colors)
Dimensions
Height: 11.25 in (book)
Width: 7.875 in (book)
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