This is another blog in the ABD series ‘Bright Sparks’ which is a tribute to people who have brought us great inventions, from moments of inspiration or perspiration.
Anybody who’s had the experience of navigating the roads in poor light may be thankful for the work of Percy Shaw.
This proud Yorkshireman developed cat’s eyes for the purpose of enhanced road safety in the mid 1930’s. The reflective road studs were subsequently integrated across much of the UK’s major road network.
They have provided essential guidance for motorists who would otherwise have been at a significant risk of vehicle accidents.
Feline Inspiration
Percy Shaw had the opportunity to hone his creative talents while working for his father’s business during the First World War. They developed machine tools for use in the munitions factories during this period.
However, there is some debate regarding Shaw’s inspiration for the creation of cat’s eyes. It has been claimed that the idea came about during an evening drive along the hazardous road from the Dolphin Public House to Shaw’s residence in Halifax. He is said to have been in imminent danger when he spotted a cat at the side of the road. The car beam reflected in the cat’s eyes and Shaw was able to find his bearings.
Alternative Explanations
The original story is certainly plausible. However, interviewer Alan Whicker was informed that the cat’s eyes were developed to guide drivers along foggy roads. Shaw had apparently noticed the illumination generated by road signs and decided that it would be a good idea to transfer the light to the road surface.
However, a group of children were given an alternative explanation while touring Shaw’s factory in the 1970s. On this occasion he suggested that the idea had been developed after noticing the light reflected off tram tracks.
A Great Success
Whatever the inspiration, there is little debate regarding the positive impact of Percy Shaw’s invention. The cat’s eyes were installed on many of the UK’s roads as an essential means of guidance for motorists during the blackouts of the Second World War.
Shaw even developed a cleaning mechanism to ensure that the cat’s eyes remained visible at all times. Large scale production continued at the Roadstud’s Ltd factory and the cat’s eyes were placed on roads across the worlds.
Yorkshiremen See The Light
Drivers are still reliant upon the cat’s eyes for safe navigation at times of bad light. However, the original concept was updated by Yorkshire resident Martin Dick’s in 1990. He created Solarlite road studs after realising that the original cat’s eyes didn’t generate enough light in foggy conditions.
The Solarlites emit 10 times as much light as the cat’s eyes. They are a relatively inexpensive, eco-friendly alternative to Shaw’s original invention. However, there can be little debate regarding the essential role and enduring legacy of the cat’s eyes.
Cat’s Eyes image used with permission: “LIGHTDOME” by ELIOT2000 – Own work. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
Cat’s Eyes poster used with permission:”Catseye00” by http://designmuseum.org/design/percy-shaw. Licensed under Wikipedia.
Author: ABD.co.uk