Who invented the 4 way automatic "traffic light"?

Police Officer William L. Potts of Detroit, Michigan, decided to do something about the problem caused by the ever increasing number of automobiles on the streets. What he had in mind was figuring out a way to adapt railroad signals for street use. Potts used red, amber, and green railroad lights and about thirty-seven dollars worth of wire and electrical controls to make the world’s first 4-way three color traffic light. It was installed in 1920 on the corner of Woodward and Michigan Avenues in Detroit. Within a year, Detroit had installed a total of fifteen of the new automatic lights.

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35 Comments

Neil L. Hoopes

I wonder if it was originally called the Potts Light? Only to have the word turned around and a “t” eliminated later for Stop Light.

SmartyPlayer

I heard that he was black during black history month.

Noelito

DeepThought, Indeed...but his invention was in the form of a non-lighted traffic signal.

DeepThought

Garrett Morgan should be mentioned somewhere in this question or answer explanation.

Helga U. Williams

Good educational quiz. I never knew the name of the inventor, just took the lights for granted. Thank you, author. 👍

Robert Aguilar

What happened after his invention...he went on holidays because the lights where doing the job for him....!!!

Boyd Tracy

However I do sympathize with your disdain at Mr Cilia's arrogant comments. While there has ben much of innovation and invention that originated in the US, to suggest that it has been without major contributions from other nations even including some which were operating under a socialist regime at the time, is clearly inappropriate.

Boyd Tracy

Irene Townsend, - Really doesn't make a bit of difference WHY the US entered the war it is how they won it that is the important thing. While there were of course several countries that were involved in the cessation of hostilities in Europe, it is fairly clear that the WORLD War was finalized with Jappan's surrender in which countries other than the US played a minor role.

Irene Townsend

Joe Cilia, You need to do a bit more studies, Example they are other countries in this world that have also had a hand in making this world what it is today. Start looking outside your little box, next you are going to tell me you won the 2WW. Where as you would not have been their at all if it hadn't been for Pearl harbour