The Prophet (S.A.W) drew a square and then drew a line in the middle of it and let it extend outside the square...
BITS ‘N’ PIECES
The Prophet (S.A.W) drew a square and then drew a line in the middle of it and let it extend outside the square and then drew several small lines attached to that central line, and said, “This is the human being, and this, (the square) in his lease of life, encircles him from all sides (or has encircled him), and this (line), which is outside (the square), is his hope, and these small lines are the calamities and troubles (which may befall him), and if one misses him, another will snap (i.e. overtake) him, and if the other misses him, a third will snap (i.e. overtake) him.”
Sahih Bukhari, Volume 8, Book 76, Number 426
The earliest known traffic signal was installed outside the British Houses of Parliament in London in December 1868.
The invention of the first traffic signal marked a significant milestone in the history of road safety and urban organization. As cities began to grow in the 19th century, so did the number of horse-drawn carriages and pedestrians navigating increasingly congested streets. This led to frequent accidents and chaos, particularly at busy intersections. The need for a system to regulate traffic flow became urgent. The earliest known attempt to manage street traffic came in the form of a manually operated gas-lit traffic signal, which was installed outside the British Houses of Parliament in London in December 1868. Designed by railway engineer J.P. Knight, who was experienced in signaling for trains, this traffic signal featured two semaphore arms and a gas-lit red and green light to be used at night.
The primary reason behind the invention of this traffic signal was public safety. The junction near the Parliament was notorious for accidents, and authorities hoped this new device would bring order. During the day, the arms would be raised or lowered by a police officer to indicate whether traffic should stop or proceed. At night, the red and green gas lights served the same purpose. Unfortunately, the experiment ended in tragedy when a gas leak caused an explosion, seriously injuring the officer operating the signal. Despite this failure, the idea of controlling traffic with lights had been planted.
Several decades later, with the invention and popularization of the automobile in the early 20th century, the need for an efficient, reliable traffic control system resurfaced. The first electric traffic light was introduced in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1914. This version, designed by James Hoge, used red and green lights and was manually operated by a police officer from a nearby control booth. Unlike the London signal, this system was safer and better suited to handle increasing motor traffic. Later improvements included the addition of the yellow caution light, which was introduced in Detroit in 1920 by police officer William Potts, creating the three-colour system we use today.
From gas-lit semaphores to automated, sensor-based systems used in modern cities, traffic lights have evolved into an essential part of road infrastructure, reflecting both technological progress and the ongoing effort to make transportation safer for everyone.
