first use of a traffic light, red and green lights (1868)
first use of a traffic light, red and green lights took place in 1868, during the Industrial Age (19th century) — a moment that historians still return to for what it changed and what it revealed about its time.
Context
Industrial Age — Steam, revolutions, and the modern world takes shape. That's about 102 years ago, roughly 1 centuries back. Around the same time, the world was also seeing Charles M. Conlon (1868) and Charles M. Conlon, American photographer (1868).
Why it matters
first use of a traffic light, red and green lights is remembered because its consequences outlasted the moment — the people affected, the decisions it forced, and the way it reset the story of what came next.
Did you know?
Just 0 years after, Charles M. Conlon (1868) was also making headlines — a reminder how much history can compress into a single decade.
Era
Industrial Age
Steam, revolutions, and the modern world takes shape.
Category
Events
Events tell the story of moments that reshaped daily life — disasters, revolutions, discoveries, and turning points that split history into before and after.
Contemporary events
What else was happening in the world around this time.
Sources & further reading7 verified references · tap to open
About this lesson. Overview, context, and “Why it matters” are generated summaries written for study and gameplay. Dates and category placement come from the Timeline question bank[1]; era descriptions are adapted from standard historical periodisation[2]. For primary sources and in-depth reading, use the references below.
- Timeline question bank — © the game's original author, used with permission.
- Era framework based on Wikipedia's Human history overview, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Wikipedia
Community-maintained encyclopedia entry with citations.
Encyclopædia Britannica
Editorially reviewed reference articles.
Library of Congress
Primary sources, photographs, and archival records.
National Archives
Original U.S. government documents and records.
Smithsonian
Museum collections and curator-written explainers.
BBC History
Long-form explainers and documentaries.
History.com
Timelines and topic overviews from HISTORY.
Educational content notice
Lessons are for general historical education, not professional advice. Some entries touch on wars, violence, or other sensitive events — appropriate for ages 9+. External links open in your browser and are not controlled by Timeline.
Quick check
Which of these happened in 1868?
Related lessons
Same question · 1914
Greyhound company precursor begans first route
Same question · 1918
yellow light added to traffic light
Same question · 1932
first federal gasoline tax
Same era in category · 1867
Government of Canada established
Same era in category · 1869
transcontinental railroad completed at Promontory Summit
Same era in category · 1867
the Alaska Purchase from the Russian Empire by the US for $7.2M
0 yrs after · 1868
Charles M. Conlon
0 yrs after · 1868
Charles M. Conlon, American photographer