At the June 1983 meeting of the Warminster History Society, Mr. Cross, who has had a life-long interest in road transport, gave an excellent talk titled “The History Of Road Signs” and delivered it with great humour and vigor. It was an evening of nostalgia for the many members who remembered the highway “furniture” which has now disappeared into history. It was as recently as 1974 that all signs were changed to those of UN Convention, and the octagon “Stop” replaced “Halt” in 1977. Mr. Cross has done a valuable service by recording, and where possible, collecting obsolete signs.
In his introduction, he stated all sorts of interesting facts: that after the introduction of the pneumatic tyre by Dunlop in the 1880s the surface of roads improved greatly; that the first road signs were small because of the speed at which they were read; that until 1927 all sorts of advertising signs littered the road sides (including “Stop” signs put up by private businesses to encourage custom); that the idea for cats’ eyes came from seeing light reflected off tram lines; and that, like the rest of Europe we adopted the triangle for the “Halt” sign, but in true British fashion it was the other way round until 1944.
Mr. Cross then showed slides accompanied by many amusing comments. He showed early milestones, finger posts and street signs, the latter very high to be read by drivers of coaches, and many curious and often confusing instructions for the early motorist.
It was a very enjoyable evening and it was hoped that Mr. Cross would make a return visit to talk about Wiltshire roads and turnpikes.