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The Parking Meter Turns 75 Today

Posted by samzenpus on from the thanks-a@#hole dept.

nj_peeps writes "75 years ago Carl Magee filed a patent application for what would become one of the most hated inventions in history: the parking meter. From the article: 'Magee's brainwave was to install a device that had a coin acceptor and a dial to engage a timing mechanism. A visible pointer and flag indicated the expiration of the paid period, meaning you either had to move, put in more money, or face the wrath of the local constabulary. The design continued largely unchanged for more than 40 years.'"

2 of 126 comments (clear)

  1. Hated, but necessary by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You really think it would make it easier to park in large cities for short errands if they didn't exist? Thank God someone actually thought enough to address the problem.

  2. I don't mind parking meteres. by Petersko · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I live and work in a busy downtown area. If there were no meters all spots would be taken by 8:00 a.m. and anybody coming downtown during the day to do business would be out of luck.

    Parking meters don't just take in money, they help moderate the usage of the space.