Before Patents And Fame The First Traffic Lights Revealed A Deeper Fight For Credit

Before patents and fame, the first traffic lights revealed a deeper fight for credit—and at the center of that story stands William Potts, the innovator who transformed traffic control forever. In this episode of Roots Renaissance, we uncover the untold history behind the invention of the traffic signal, exploring how Potts’ breakthrough made streets safer while also highlighting the overlooked contributions of Black inventors who shaped the technology we depend on today.
This episode exposes the bigger story behind a familiar invention, showing how the race for recognition mirrors broader struggles over ownership, visibility, and historical erasure in American innovation. As the narration reminds us, “True innovation is never just about the invention—it’s about who gets to write the story.”
Rooted in rigorous research and cinematic storytelling, this chapter of Roots Renaissance reclaims narratives that inspire, inform, and empower future generations.

Chapters
[0:00] Close-up of a vintage clock ticking, revealing an early city street at dusk
[1:00] William Potts beside an early manual traffic sign in Detroit
[2:00] Potts sketching designs for a three-color signal on a drafting table
[3:00] Installation of the first electric traffic light on a street corner
[4:00] Nighttime close-up of the original glowing red signal
[5:00] Early motorists reacting to the new traffic lights
[6:00] Archival headlines and patent documents highlighting missing credit
[7:00] Silhouette representing the anonymous fight for recognition
[8:00] Montage of early traffic signal designs across different cities
[9:00] Modern traffic control room connecting past to present
[10:00] Typing dispute letters on a vintage typewriter
[11:00] Zoom from Potts’ historical photo to a glowing modern traffic light
[12:00] Aerial shot of a modern intersection filled with synchronized signals

🎥 About Roots Renaissance
Roots Renaissance is a cinematic documentary series that uncovers the hidden histories, creators, and innovations shaping the modern world. Dedicated to illuminating the untold stories of Black cultural pioneers, the series blends rigorous historical research with poetic, visually rich storytelling to honor legacies too often overlooked yet foundational to our collective story.

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