When did lane striping begin?

Texas Tom

Texas Tom

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

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