Cat's Eyes
posted by Paul
Even though this little device (known for its reflective ability as a Cat's Eye) was developed in Britain in 1933, Cape Town's roads only had them installed in the 1980s. I remember one night as a kid being fascinated by the hundreds of newly installed reflective eyes watching us as we drove home along one of our national highways.
Since then they've helped keep me, and many others, safe on poorly-lit roads. I only wish that there were more of these little helpers on more of our back-roads, as they're often the most poorly lit areas.
I find it really disconcerting not being able to see bends in the road ahead, or, when it's raining, not knowing whether I'm veering over into another lane or not. Well done Percy Shaw, this really was a simple yet brilliant invention.
3 Comments:
I agree....a very wonderful invention and I also wish they were in more spots.
It's cool to see an object like this up close and personal. You always see what it does, but never really get to know it. Your image lets us become more aquanted with this particular subject.
It's amazing how it's designed to withstand vehicles rolling over it all the time.
@Chad: This isn't really macro photography... I guess... but I think what you said about allowing the viewer to become aquainted with an object is a great deal of what macro photography is about. Thanks for your comments.
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