The history of reflective traffic signs is a fascinating journey that spans several decades of innovation and technological advancements aimed at improving road safety and visibility for drivers. It all began with the invention of the Cataphote, or glass cats eye reflectors, by Percy Shaw in 1927. These small devices revolutionized the visibility of road signs by reflecting light back to its source, making them visible at night for the first time.
Following Shaw’s invention, Rudolph Potters experimented with mass-producing tiny retroreflective spheres in 1914. These glass spheres, when embedded in paint, created reflective surfaces that enhanced the visibility of signs and road markings at night.
In 1937, Harry Heltzer, a 3M laborer, was tasked with developing a new method for creating reflective center lines on roads in Minnesota. This led to the creation of glass bead-based reflective tape for pavement striping, designed to improve visibility on roadways, especially during nighttime driving. As a continuation or expansion of this invention, reflective sheeting for signs was created. In the beginning, reflective sign sheeting was infinitely more successful than the road striping 3m invented. (Note – Later 3m would perfect road striping and launch its StaMark brand.)
The introduction of retroreflective sheeting in the 1950s further advanced the field of reflective traffic signs, providing a more durable and effective material for enhancing visibility on signs. The establishment of retroreflectivity standards by the FHWA in the 1970s set guidelines for the minimum level of reflectivity required for traffic signs to ensure optimal visibility and legibility.
Today, reflective traffic signs are an integral part of road infrastructure, playing a crucial role in guiding and informing drivers on the road. The continuous innovation in reflective technologies and materials continues to enhance road safety and reduce accidents by improving visibility in various driving conditions.
For a comprehensive understanding of the history of reflective traffic signs, click here to view a more in depth article.
For more information, go to www.tapefinder.com and click on the contact link at the top of the page.