Railroad Crossing Signal Lights, Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railroad, November 1926

Summary

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.

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

Photographic print

Date Made

02 November 1926

Subject Date

02 November 1926

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

64.167.548.P.833.47865

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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