J. P. Knight
Encyclopedia
John Peake Knight, a railway engineer, invented the original traffic light
in 1868. This was not the traffic light we know now, but was a revolving gas-powered lantern with a red and a green light. Knight's invention was similar to the railway signals of the time. The traffic light was originally placed near London
's House of Commons
, at the intersection of George and Bridge Streets (SW1).
The lights exploded during use in 1869 and were removed by 1870.
For his secondary education, he attended Nottingham High School
.
In 1910, Earnest Sirrine improved the light by adding automatics. He also changed the red and green lights to words that read proceed and stop.
In 1912, Lester Wire
opted to go back to the red and green lights. However, this time, electric lights were used instead of the original gas-powered lanterns.
Traffic light
Traffic lights, which may also be known as stoplights, traffic lamps, traffic signals, signal lights, robots or semaphore, are signalling devices positioned at road intersections, pedestrian crossings and other locations to control competing flows of traffic...
in 1868. This was not the traffic light we know now, but was a revolving gas-powered lantern with a red and a green light. Knight's invention was similar to the railway signals of the time. The traffic light was originally placed near London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
's House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
, at the intersection of George and Bridge Streets (SW1).
The lights exploded during use in 1869 and were removed by 1870.
For his secondary education, he attended Nottingham High School
Nottingham High School
Nottingham High School is a British boys' independent school situated about a mile north of Nottingham city centre. It has around 900 pupils from ages 11 to 18 and there is the adjoining Nottingham High Junior School catering for younger boys and, from September 2008, the Lovell House...
.
In 1910, Earnest Sirrine improved the light by adding automatics. He also changed the red and green lights to words that read proceed and stop.
In 1912, Lester Wire
Lester Wire
Lester Farnsworth Wire is credited with the invention of the traffic light in 1912 in Salt Lake City. Wire worked as a detective for the Salt Lake City police force.He was buried at Salt Lake City Cemetery....
opted to go back to the red and green lights. However, this time, electric lights were used instead of the original gas-powered lanterns.
External links
- John Peake Knight plaque at Plaques of London.