Pop Culture Flashback: The First Electric Traffic Signal (August 5)

We see them every day and often curse them out when things don’t go our way. Nobody likes red lights, but that’s better than the alternative. Electric traffic signals – can’t live with them, can’t live without them.

1914 – What a Bright Idea

Early traffic light design with just two colors. — *(Public Domain)*

The invention of the traffic signal was a gamechanger with the budding congestion on the streets in the early 1870s. But the problem was that they had to be operated manually putting operators in danger not to mention that human error could cause an even bigger problem.

The very first electric traffic signal, which was installed on this day, created a new solution. But the question is, who invented this bright idea? There is some debate as to who deserves the credit and when, but according to History.com, James Hoge’s design “is widely regarded as the first electric traffic signal.”

Before he received a patent on his “Municipal Traffic Control System” in 1918, the first was installed on the corner of Euclid Avenue and East 105th St. in Cleveland, Ohio in 1914. The system featured four sets of two lights (one red, one green). The lights were wired to a switch inside a control booth (out of harm’s way) and configured so that conflicting signals were impossible.

OTHER EVENTS THAT HAPPENED ON THIS DAY

1950 – The Ultimate Dance Party

Dick Clark and a large group of teens on the set of "American Bandstand" — Dick Clark on *American Bandstand (ABC via TVDB)*

Though known by many as American Bandstand the music show actually began in 1950 on local TV station WFIL-TV Channel 6 in Philadelphia. Simply known as Bandstand, the show was hosted by Bob Horn and featured short musical films which some consider to be predecessors to the music video. Not understanding that he was ahead of his time, Horn wanted the show changed to show teenagers dancing to hit songs. This new format debuted in 1952. Four years later, Horn was fired after a drunk-driving arrest. This is when Dick Clark stepped in.

The show went national with the name changed to American Bandstand on this day in 1957. The show initially appeared during the afternoon on weekdays before becoming a Saturday morning staple. It is reported that the only person to ever co-host the show with Dick Clark was Donna Summer who appeared on May 27, 1978, to help promote the movie, Thank God It’s Friday.

The show aired for the last time in 1987. In 2004, Dick Clark announced that he and Ryan Seacrest were working on a revival of the show for the 2005 season, but due to his stroke in 2004, the new version never materialized.

1733 – Freedom of the Press

1877 etching of a wood engraving of Andrew Hamilton defending John Peter Zenger in court. *(Library of Congress via Wikimedia Commons)*

In 1733, New York publisher John Peter Zenger printed a newspaper to spout off on his disagreement with policies of the newly appointed colonial governor William Cosby. Zenger was charged with seditious libel. After serving eight months in prison, Zenger had his day in court and on this day in 1733, he was found not guilty. Lawyers in the case presented the idea that even if information can be defamatory, it cannot be considered libelous if the story can be proved to be true.

2022: John

A black cat holds an umbrella to protect himself from the rain coming off of a young woman's own umbrella. — *(Skydance Animation)*

John Lasseter’s first project since joining Skydance Animation was Luck. Debuting on Apple TV, the film has some nice ideas, but critics say it pales in comparison to his earlier Pixar work.

1957: Andy

Reg Smythe’s working-class comic strip, Andy Capp debuted in The Daily Mirror. The strip appeared in American papers in 1963.

1998: Drew

The cast of "Whose Line is it Anyway?" go fishing. — *(ABC via TVDB)*

Based on the British series of the same name, Drew Carey hosted the improve competition series, Whose Line is it Anyway? On ABC.

OSCAR WINNER

1953 – Romantic War Movie Makes an Impact

A man and woman kiss on the beach in the movie, "From Here to Eternity" — Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr in *From Here to Eternity (Columbia Pictures via TVDB)*

Directed by Fred Zinnemann, From Here to Eternity made a big impact when it opened in theaters on this day. The romantic war drama was based on James Jones’ novel of the same name. It told the story of three soldiers during the time just before the attack on Pearl Harbor…and that iconic, amazing kiss scene with Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr. The all-star cast also included Montgomery Clift, Frank Sinatra, Donna Reed, Ernest Borgnine, Jack Warden, Claude Akins and George Reeves.

Joan Crawford was offered a role in the film but lost her chance when she demanded that her own photographer to film all of her shots. Some speculated that Sinatra got his role in the movie through Mafia connections, but there is no evidence of that. However, a more plausible explanation may be that his wife at the time, Ava Gardner, put a good word in for him to the Columbia Pictures studio head. Regardless, he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

Of From Here to Eternity’s other seven wins (there were 13 nominations), the movie also won Oscars for Best Supporting Actress (Reed), Screenplay, Cinematography, Film Editing, Sound Recording, Director and Motion Picture.