First Pedestrian Crossing Light

On February 5, 1952, the first pedestrian crossing signal—a hand-shaped “Don’t Walk” sign—was installed in New York City to help reduce the growing number of pedestrian accidents. While traffic lights had existed since 1914, this innovation focused specifically on pedestrian safety and introduced clearer patterns for crossing busy streets. Over time, crosswalk signals evolved to include sounds and accessibility features, reminding us that safety often comes from clear guidance and wise choices, both in daily life and in our personal conduct.

Read the full article here: https://familyschool.org/spotlight/crossing-light-7

This episode was created using Notebook LM voice-overs and original research by Rosemary Pollock, historian and published author, who holds an MA in U.S. History and an MA in U.S. History with a focus on the History of Science and Medicine.

Produced by Isaac Okawa with American Heritage Worldwide.