Wednesday, February 15, 2012

stop it!

Stop signs.
Why are they octagons. Simple as that seriously why? Out of all the shapes why that one? I know it doesn’t drive most people crazy but ive kinda always wondered but never really bothered to look for why.
Turns out that the first U.S. stop sign was created and posted in Michigan in 1915. American association of state highway officials decided on the octagonal shape because it was easily identifiable from behind so drivers coming the opposite way wouldn’t get it confused. Originally they were white with black lettering, but since the universal color for stop is red, and the color red is easier to see they changed them.
Not all that exciting. But there you have it, easier to see and functional. Not the wacky story I was expecting but interesting none the less.

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