The History of the Traffic Cone: A Symbol of Safety
December 2025
Author: Melinda Luna PE
The traffic cone, a simple yet important element in road safety, has become an iconic symbol of order and caution on our streets. While its bright orange color and reflective stripes make it immediately recognizable, the history of the traffic cone is a story of innovation in traffic management, driven by the evolving needs of growing urban environments.
Early Beginnings: The First Cone
The story of the traffic cone dates back to the mid-20th century. The original concept for the traffic cone emerged in the 1940s, when the increasing number of automobiles and the development of road infrastructure led to a need for better systems of traffic control. Before the traffic cone, traffic control devices were largely static and lacked the visibility or adaptability needed to address the fast-paced nature of traffic flow. Engineers and road planners experimented with different methods to keep pedestrians, workers, and drivers safe in areas under construction or where road hazards existed.
The first prototype for a traffic cone in the US was invented by Charles D. Scanlon, a Los Angeles-based inventor, in 1942. Scanlon was a painter for the Street Department in the City of Los Angeles. His version was a simple wooden structure, not very different from the cones we recognize today. He would then be granted a patent for a rubber version that was able to return to an upright position after it had been hit in 1943.
Rubber Cones and the Rise of Flexibility
The breakthrough came in 1950 when Samuel S. J. Jr., an engineer at the American Safety Cones company, introduced another version of the rubber traffic cone. This design was an improvement over the earlier wooden versions as it was flexible and could bounce back when run over, rather than break. This feature made it far more durable and practical for frequent use on the roads. The rubber cone also had the added benefit of being lightweight, which made it easier for workers to deploy and reposition as necessary.
The use of rubber as the primary material for traffic cones became widespread in the following years. The increased flexibility and durability of rubber cones meant that they could withstand the wear and tear of constant movement and traffic conditions. Improvements also included how the cone was made using molds to increase the number that can be made.
The Iconic Orange Color and Reflective Stripes
One of the most important developments in the evolution of the traffic cone came in the 1960s, with the introduction of the bright orange color. While traffic cones were initially made from a variety of colors, the orange hue proved to be the most visible, even from a distance, in both day and night conditions. The orange color, chosen for its high visibility, became the standard, making the cone not only more noticeable but also synonymous with warning and caution. In 1961, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control (MUTCD) published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) included the traffic cone as a recommendation for tools.
The reflective stripes that we see on modern cones were introduced later, in the 1970s, as part of the effort to make them visible in low-light conditions. The reflective material helped drivers spot the cones from a greater distance, even when visibility was poor due to fog or night driving. This innovation significantly increased the effectiveness of the traffic cone as a tool for guiding traffic safely.
The Modern Cone: A Staple of Road Safety
Today, the traffic cone is an essential part of road safety. Its applications go far beyond construction zones, as it is used in a variety of situations, including road races, accident scenes, parking lot management, and crowd control. The design of the traffic cone has been refined over time to include features like stackability (for easy storage), improved stability (with weighted bases), and reflective materials (for enhanced visibility).
In recent years, there have been attempts to improve the traditional traffic cone with new materials and technologies. For example, some cones are made with recycled plastics for environmental sustainability, while others are equipped with LED lights to increase visibility even further.
The Traffic Cone in Popular Culture
The traffic cone has also found its way into popular culture, becoming a symbol of public works and safety, and even a bit of comedy. From its frequent appearances in movies and television shows as part of chaotic, slapstick scenes, to its use as a symbol of DIY innovation (who hasn’t seen a traffic cone use a cone as a makeshift funnel), the traffic cone becomes a cultural icon.
Conclusion: A Tool with Big Impact
Though seemingly simple, the traffic cone has played a monumental role in enhancing road safety and guiding traffic. From its early days as a wooden marker to its modern, flexible, and highly visible design, the traffic cone has evolved into a crucial component of road management worldwide. Its continued development reflects ongoing efforts to balance safety, innovation, and practicality in the ever-changing landscape of transportation. Whether on a busy city street, a highway, or a construction site, the traffic cone stands as an example of human ingenuity and the enduring importance of safety.
https://patents.google.com/patent/US2333273
