The Evolution of School Bus Stop Signs: From Little Girl to Mandatory Safety Measures
Back in the early 20th century, ensuring the safety of children on school buses was not as sophisticated as it is today. The first school bus stop sign, designed as a small girl, was invented by Robert Grover Van Duyn in December 1931. This enameled metal sign, just 26 inches tall, featured a red light and a stop sign, and could even hold an American flag. This unique invention marked the beginning of a significant period in school bus safety.
A Brief History
For about 75 to 80 years, STOP signs have been a standard feature on school buses. It's quite remarkable how, back in the days, these signs were often overlooked by passengers. Only assured drivers who started to drive noticed these signs. With the passage of time, the importance of stop signs became more apparent.
The Modern Era
The current iteration of swing-out stop signs, which now accompany flashing lights, began to appear in the early 1970s. Interestingly, this developed not just as a safety feature but also as a way to remind drivers that there were children present. At that time, I was working for Good Humor ice cream, and we also implemented yellow stop signs on our delivery trucks for the same purpose.
Later, Mrs. Dole, when she was the transportation secretary, enforced the use of these signs and other safety measures. This included mandatory strobe lights on the top of the bus, a third brake light, and the distinctive three headlamps seen on locomotives.
Visual Evolution
To visualize the evolution, one can look at school bus photos from the 1940s, which depict a black and white stop sign coming out on the side of the bus. These early stop signs set the stage for the advancements we see today.
Modern Safety Features
According to Wikipedia, in the late 1940s, the USA introduced flashing warning lights and a moving arm stop sign. These innovations marked a significant step in enhancing school bus safety. However, the full ecosystem of safety features, including swing-out stop signs with flashing lights, only became widespread in the 1970s.
The journey from a small metal girl to mandatory safety measures on school buses is a testament to the ongoing improvements in transportation safety. As we look to the future, continued advancements in technology will likely make buses even safer for our children.