Willoughby’s First Traffic Signal

Many people know Garrett Morgan as the inventor of the traffic signal, but the innovator’s ties to downtown Willoughby are only known by few.

In 1922, Garrett Morgan developed a model of the traffic light that held little resemblance to the one used today, except for one difference.

Back then, automobile drivers only had a green or red signal. Morgan was the first to add a third signal, as a caution signal. His model had three “arms” or positions, one to stop traffic in one direction, one to go and the third position stopped traffic in all directions, the “forerunner” of the yellow light used today, according to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

“The arms on it came down for cars to stop, go and signal caution,” said Don Lewis, member of the Willoughby Historical Society.

General Electric, a well-known Northeast Ohio company, purchased the rights to Morgan’s stoplight for $40,000 just after the invention received its patent on November 20, 1923. Adjusted for inflation, that number today equals about $500,000.

Once General Electric received the rights, the company decided to test the traffic signal in April 1924.

While many believe this test site was at the intersection of Glenn Avenue and Erie Street in downtown Willoughby, this was not the case. Traffic patterns were too light at that location.

“Glenn Avenue was not a main intersection at the time,” Lewis said.

The first stoplight was actually tested at the intersection of Erie Street, Vine Street and Mentor Avenue, one of the busiest intersections in the area, according to old news articles.

After the tests proved successful, the remaining intersections in downtown Willoughby received traffic lights. This occurred in 1926.

In addition to the stoplight, Garrett Morgan had one more connection to Willoughby. His grandson attended Willoughby South High School, Lewis said.

For more about Garrett Morgan’s invention, click here.