Not Logged In Log In   Sign Up   Points Leaders
Follow Us    11:37 AM

GasBuddy News Article

51
votes
Utah celebrates 100th anniversary of our nation's first traffic signal

GasBuddy Blog -- If someone were to ask me where I thought the first traffic signal was put to use in the U.S., I have to say that Salt Lake City wouldn't make my list even if I was given 10 or 15 guesses.

But apparently, Utah is laying claim to putting into operation the first functioning traffic signal in the U.S.

According to folks at the Utah Dept. of Transportation (UDOT), the invention of the traffic light came about 100 years ago and it belongs to Lester Wire, a police officer in Salt Lake City who they said had grown troubled by the congestion and danger developing from traffic at one of the city's busier intersections.

The Salt Lake City Tribune reports that Wire’s invention looked like a large birdhouse with lights...


Read the Full Article

Submitted Oct 11, 2012 By: PD
Category: GasBuddy Official Blog > Topics Add to favorite topics   Post new topicPost New Topic
Author Topic: Utah celebrates 100th anniversary of our nation's first traffic signal Post a Reply Back to Topics
REPLIES (newest first)
Profile Pic
Karisholman
Veteran Author Nevada

Posts:281
Points:167,410
Joined:Oct 2012
Message Posted: Oct 13, 2012 4:15:05 AM

This is odd. It seems strange that an officer would stand next to it to operate other than personally direct traffic. It might be safer, though.
Profile Pic
spiderjay
Champion Author Little Rock

Posts:4,773
Points:1,282,235
Joined:Oct 2005
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 3:21:55 PM

saves on whistle blowing
Profile Pic
spiderjay
Champion Author Little Rock

Posts:4,773
Points:1,282,235
Joined:Oct 2005
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 3:17:38 PM

it had to start somewhere
Profile Pic
SUPPER
Champion Author San Bernardino

Posts:2,462
Points:1,284,945
Joined:Dec 2004
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 9:16:58 AM

So
Profile Pic
cehend
Champion Author Maryland

Posts:1,725
Points:461,525
Joined:Jan 2011
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 7:32:25 AM

traffic lights are a pain!
Profile Pic
jcdakota
Champion Author Baltimore

Posts:1,347
Points:361,345
Joined:Nov 2010
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 6:26:56 AM

Did we celebrate by hanging in effigy the inventer?
Profile Pic
Hop1LA
Champion Author Baton Rouge

Posts:3,294
Points:1,172,495
Joined:Apr 2008
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 6:03:16 AM

Blame Utah for wasting gas at stop lights ;)
Profile Pic
swede
Champion Author Cleveland

Posts:3,742
Points:1,671,025
Joined:Feb 2003
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 6:03:09 AM

old news
Profile Pic
lindact
Champion Author New Haven

Posts:8,716
Points:1,712,970
Joined:May 2008
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 6:02:22 AM

Nice bit of nostalgia...
Profile Pic
rippinusoff
Champion Author Lexington

Posts:7,383
Points:1,483,775
Joined:May 2007
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:57:56 AM

ok, this article helped me save gas
Profile Pic
Lengas
Champion Author Gary

Posts:13,530
Points:2,713,775
Joined:Nov 2004
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:56:39 AM

Hard to believe. I'm 71 and remember seeing many traffic lights as a little kid.
Profile Pic
Yankee829
Champion Author Dallas

Posts:2,186
Points:555,590
Joined:Sep 2010
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:56:27 AM

Old...
Profile Pic
smqua
Champion Author Cleveland

Posts:1,676
Points:581,530
Joined:Mar 2011
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:56:01 AM

Big deal
Profile Pic
jhnh
Champion Author Michigan

Posts:2,476
Points:1,622,855
Joined:Nov 2005
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:56:00 AM

ok
Profile Pic
Jmac2008
Champion Author Missouri

Posts:2,254
Points:877,140
Joined:Dec 2008
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:55:49 AM

ok
Profile Pic
kzza100
Champion Author New Jersey

Posts:1,946
Points:570,805
Joined:Sep 2011
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:55:45 AM

ok
Profile Pic
ILVET
Champion Author Illinois

Posts:14,774
Points:2,921,615
Joined:Jan 2005
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:55:17 AM

Lets move on
Profile Pic
indyjim
Champion Author Indianapolis

Posts:10,071
Points:2,315,430
Joined:Jul 2006
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:55:00 AM

whoopy
Profile Pic
racerdj
Champion Author Indianapolis

Posts:9,795
Points:2,052,575
Joined:Jun 2003
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:54:28 AM

Yesterdays news.
Profile Pic
neptune2008
Champion Author Michigan

Posts:8,556
Points:1,665,910
Joined:Aug 2008
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:54:12 AM

they did, did they?
Profile Pic
99dakota
Champion Author Providence

Posts:8,092
Points:2,168,700
Joined:Oct 2006
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:53:46 AM

ok
Profile Pic
Jeffro61
Champion Author Cleveland

Posts:2,252
Points:2,281,120
Joined:Oct 2005
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:52:51 AM

Ok
Profile Pic
warlord1
Champion Author Georgia

Posts:5,225
Points:1,030,750
Joined:May 2010
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:52:09 AM

ok
Profile Pic
sramroop
Champion Author Birmingham

Posts:3,297
Points:735,105
Joined:Jul 2010
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:51:25 AM

Repeat
Profile Pic
TommyTraveler
Champion Author Cincinnati

Posts:8,659
Points:1,694,305
Joined:Nov 2007
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:51:11 AM

thoufght Cleveland, Ohio had traffic lights 1st?
Profile Pic
bababooey2
Champion Author Hartford

Posts:6,327
Points:1,297,865
Joined:Sep 2009
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:50:37 AM

cool
Profile Pic
LeeFree
Champion Author Pittsburgh

Posts:9,131
Points:2,239,450
Joined:Jun 2005
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:50:09 AM

Great piece of trivea.
Profile Pic
hybridaholic
Champion Author Appleton

Posts:8,345
Points:1,552,565
Joined:Dec 2008
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:49:04 AM

ok
Profile Pic
mnrick041
Champion Author Twin Cities

Posts:14,280
Points:1,364,910
Joined:Jun 2009
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:48:22 AM

Thanks Lester.
Profile Pic
Harry813
Champion Author Iowa

Posts:2,980
Points:657,640
Joined:Jul 2011
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:48:22 AM

Wow.... ?
Profile Pic
jeff95519
Champion Author California

Posts:2,432
Points:1,350,240
Joined:Sep 2008
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:44:58 AM

ok so what
Profile Pic
jcurley
Champion Author California

Posts:7,876
Points:1,771,020
Joined:Dec 2007
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:43:39 AM

And tickets for running the red light?
Profile Pic
Boo1989
Champion Author Atlanta

Posts:7,158
Points:1,346,605
Joined:Oct 2008
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:43:14 AM

This relates to gas prices how???
Profile Pic
millerin
Champion Author Orlando

Posts:2,289
Points:477,315
Joined:Jan 2012
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:41:56 AM

hmm...
Profile Pic
gabisgram
Champion Author Michigan

Posts:2,176
Points:908,250
Joined:Sep 2006
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:41:42 AM

Well, there ya' go.
Profile Pic
kirzon484
Champion Author Atlanta

Posts:1,841
Points:428,610
Joined:Jun 2011
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:41:42 AM

how soon we forget
Profile Pic
isem
Champion Author Missouri

Posts:1,906
Points:419,185
Joined:Feb 2012
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:41:31 AM

Déjà vu
Profile Pic
KhelbenArunson
Champion Author Michigan

Posts:4,425
Points:713,115
Joined:Apr 2008
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:41:22 AM

ok
Profile Pic
Chem60
Champion Author Tallahassee

Posts:3,796
Points:809,050
Joined:Oct 2010
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:40:54 AM

Yawn, really? Zzzzzz...
Profile Pic
AvantiMick
Champion Author Indiana

Posts:12,722
Points:2,538,545
Joined:Dec 2005
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:40:23 AM

Could not live another day without knowing that!
Profile Pic
Dailyrun
Champion Author Kentucky

Posts:1,957
Points:383,865
Joined:Apr 2012
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:40:16 AM

alright
Profile Pic
BEngr
Champion Author Illinois

Posts:6,691
Points:1,576,015
Joined:May 2008
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:40:04 AM

Who would have guessed Utah, not me.
Profile Pic
harleydoctor
Champion Author Kansas

Posts:7,325
Points:1,924,585
Joined:Sep 2005
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:39:27 AM

Thats good to know now give me another Bud......
Profile Pic
epf
Champion Author Grand Rapids

Posts:6,314
Points:1,886,605
Joined:May 2004
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:37:56 AM

Great trivia question!
Profile Pic
tomok
Champion Author Portland

Posts:32,911
Points:2,341,510
Joined:Aug 2006
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:37:37 AM

Read Light?
Profile Pic
4bobux
Champion Author Peoria

Posts:1,962
Points:409,230
Joined:Mar 2012
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:34:36 AM

AW, how cute... who cares?
Profile Pic
Foxt
Champion Author Minnesota

Posts:5,240
Points:2,016,330
Joined:Jul 2006
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:34:09 AM

Anniversary for the first ticket for running a read light must be just around the corner.
Profile Pic
RADIOCANADA499
Champion Author Ontario

Posts:2,316
Points:772,930
Joined:Aug 2005
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:34:03 AM

ok
Profile Pic
hawkman1950
Champion Author Michigan

Posts:2,604
Points:536,555
Joined:Aug 2010
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:34:00 AM

Big deal.
Profile Pic
FMREALTOR
Champion Author Florida

Posts:6,385
Points:1,693,005
Joined:Jan 2007
Message Posted: Oct 12, 2012 5:33:31 AM

Wow, interesting stuff. What does this have to do with GAS PRICES?
Post a reply Back to Topics