The Ford Barn

Texas Tom · 05-13-2013, 08:36 PM

I've recently seen a few Internet videos showing traffic in Detroit and Los Angeles in the late 1920s to late 1930s. In all cases, the scenes show two-direction streets with three "lanes" in each direction.

However, the streets shown have no white stripes to differentiate one lane from another. As a result, the cars wander left and right willy-nilly. There must have been many fender-benders as a result.

Makes me curious about when municipalities began to mark traffic lanes with white stripes.

Anybody know?

robw · 05-13-2013, 09:06 PM

More than you ever wanted to know about lane striping... http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs...rp_rpt_484.pdf

Bruce Adams · 05-13-2013, 09:09 PM

It looks like NYC used the actual concrete spacers for lane and th eoil patch to determine the center of each lane.

Ted in MN · 05-13-2013, 09:56 PM

In 1917 highway superintendant K I Sawyer had the first center line painted on "Dead man's curve" of US Highway 41 outside Marquette, Michigan. Lane markers probably followed.

Roadster62 · 05-13-2013, 10:18 PM

There was a photo in a mid 1930's issue of National Geographic that showed a specially designed "Line Painter" that I had here years ago and since misplaced. There was an exact twin in a discussion on the HAMB, and another on The Old Motor websites. If I can find them I'll post links later. Bob

28ACoupe · 05-14-2013, 11:43 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Traffic lanes were invented so Chevrolet drivers would know where on the road they are supposed to be.

Ted Duke · 05-14-2013, 11:53 AM

I wish they would paint them on the backroads of Virginia so that the SUV drivers who moved here from the city would realize they have to share the road. We all drive down the middle, but you're supposed to move over for oncoming traffic, especially at night.

1932BB · 05-15-2013, 09:11 AM

Ted from MN, You da man! I was prepared to answer but you beat me to it! The road is now designated 492 and there is a historical marker on the curve where KI Sawyer painted the first center line.

tmiller6 · 05-15-2013, 09:26 AM

Edward Hines started the center line in 1911 in Michigan.

http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,...6420--,00.html

1932BB · 05-15-2013, 09:42 AM

T Miller 6. Your research indicates that Edward Hines "concieved" the centerline! K. I. Sawyer is said to have actually painted one. Having worked for the State of Mich. it seems reasonable to me that six years after the centerline concept there was still ongoing debate in Lansing while K.I. got down on all fours and painted one! LOL!

05-13-2013, 08:36 PM	#1
Texas Tom Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 137	When did lane striping begin? I've recently seen a few Internet videos showing traffic in Detroit and Los Angeles in the late 1920s to late 1930s. In all cases, the scenes show two-direction streets with three "lanes" in each direction. However, the streets shown have no white stripes to differentiate one lane from another. As a result, the cars wander left and right willy-nilly. There must have been many fender-benders as a result. Makes me curious about when municipalities began to mark traffic lanes with white stripes. Anybody know?

05-13-2013, 09:06 PM	#2
robw Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: PA Posts: 102	Re: When did lane striping begin? More than you ever wanted to know about lane striping... http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs...rp_rpt_484.pdf

05-13-2013, 09:56 PM	#4
Ted in MN Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 74	Re: When did lane striping begin? In 1917 highway superintendant K I Sawyer had the first center line painted on "Dead man's curve" of US Highway 41 outside Marquette, Michigan. Lane markers probably followed.

05-13-2013, 10:18 PM	#5
Roadster62 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ridgefield, Ct Posts: 3,441	Re: When did lane striping begin? There was a photo in a mid 1930's issue of National Geographic that showed a specially designed "Line Painter" that I had here years ago and since misplaced. There was an exact twin in a discussion on the HAMB, and another on The Old Motor websites. If I can find them I'll post links later. Bob __________________ They don't have to run to be enjoyed. I'm here to enjoy the hobby, and enjoy the cars no matter what they look like. Most of the worlds problems are electrical.

05-14-2013, 11:43 AM	#6
28ACoupe Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 559	Re: When did lane striping begin? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Traffic lanes were invented so Chevrolet drivers would know where on the road they are supposed to be. __________________ 1928 Model A Business Coupe Rebuild picture gallery here The light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off due to budget cuts.

05-14-2013, 11:53 AM	#7
Ted Duke Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fairfield, Virginia Posts: 615	Re: When did lane striping begin? I wish they would paint them on the backroads of Virginia so that the SUV drivers who moved here from the city would realize they have to share the road. We all drive down the middle, but you're supposed to move over for oncoming traffic, especially at night.

05-15-2013, 09:11 AM	#8
1932BB Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Marquette Mich. Posts: 125	Re: When did lane striping begin? Ted from MN, You da man! I was prepared to answer but you beat me to it! The road is now designated 492 and there is a historical marker on the curve where KI Sawyer painted the first center line.

05-15-2013, 09:26 AM	#9
tmiller6 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Livonia, MI Posts: 197	Re: When did lane striping begin? Edward Hines started the center line in 1911 in Michigan. http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,...6420--,00.html

05-15-2013, 09:42 AM	#10
1932BB Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Marquette Mich. Posts: 125	Re: When did lane striping begin? T Miller 6. Your research indicates that Edward Hines "concieved" the centerline! K. I. Sawyer is said to have actually painted one. Having worked for the State of Mich. it seems reasonable to me that six years after the centerline concept there was still ongoing debate in Lansing while K.I. got down on all fours and painted one! LOL!