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Terrific Apparition - Londons First Traffic Light 1869
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Terrific Apparition - Londons First Traffic Light 1869
Terrific Apparition - Seen during the recent fog at Westminster. A satire on Londons First Traffic Light. Invented by J P Knight, a railway signalling engineer, it was installed outside the Houses of Parliament in 1868 and looked like any railway signal of the time, with waving semaphore arms and red-green lamps, operated by gas, for night use. Unfortunately, it exploded as a result of a leak in one of the gas lines underneath the pavement, injuring the policeman operator.
1869
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Media ID 23265756
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1868 1869 Apparition Direction Earliest Engineering Foggy Gloom Knight Lamps Lighting Lights Nighttime Parliament Roads Safety Satire Satirical Semaphore Shining Signal Signalling Signals Terrific Traffic Westminster 1860s Gas Powered
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Terrific Apparition: A Satirical Take on London's First Traffic Light in Foggy Westminster (1869) This photograph, titled "Terrific Apparition," offers a humorous and intriguing glimpse into the early days of traffic management in London. The image depicts a foggy scene outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, where the city's first traffic light, invented by J.P. Knight, a railway signalling engineer, stood proudly since 1868. The apparition in question resembles any railway signal of the time, with waving semaphore arms and red-green lamps, operated by gas for night use. However, the terrifying twist is that this early attempt at traffic control was not as safe as intended. A gas leak beneath the pavement led to a catastrophic explosion, injuring the policeman operator. The photograph, taken in 1869, captures the eerie and otherworldly atmosphere of the foggy night, with Big Ben's clock tower looming in the background. The semaphore arms, shining brightly in the gloom, appear as if they are directing the traffic of the ethereal world. The cartoonish nature of the image, with its exaggerated arms and ominous red and green lights, adds to the satirical tone, poking fun at the early attempts to tame the chaotic streets of London. This photograph is an intriguing snapshot of London's transportation history, showcasing the ingenuity and challenges of the 19th century. The Terrific Apparition serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and innovation in the development of our modern traffic management systems.
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