book fighting traffic

fighting traffic book by peter d. norton

the journey of urban mobility is a complex narrative, and peter d. nortons seminal work, fighting traffic: the dawn of the motor age in the american city, delves deep into this often-overlooked history. this book is more than just a historical account; its a critical examination of how cities were reshaped, not just physically but socially, to accommodate the automobile. norton meticulously reconstructs the intense battles and debates that occurred as streets transformed from diverse public spaces into domains primarily for motor vehicles, a shift that dramatically altered the urban landscape and the lives of its inhabitants.

fighting traffic summary

in fighting traffic, peter d. norton explores the pivotal period between the 1910s and 1930s, a time when the automobiles dominance on american city streets was fiercely contested. before the widespread adoption of cars, streets served a multitude of purposes, accommodating pedestrians, children playing, and various forms of transport. however, as automobiles gained prominence, a significant social and physical reconstruction of urban spaces became necessary. norton argues that this transformation was not a gentle evolution but a "bloody and sometimes violent revolution." he vividly describes how different groups, including pedestrians, parents, city officials, downtown businesses, traffic engineers, and automobile promoters, engaged in intense struggles to define the purpose and use of streets. pedestrians and parents fought for "justice" and safety, while businesses and cities advocated for "efficiency." the automotive industry, on the other hand, strategically invoked "freedom" to legitimize their claim to the streets, a powerful rhetorical tool in the united states. the book uncovers a broad anti-automobile campaign that branded motorists as "road hogs" and cars as "death cars," while also considering the perspectives of those who saw cars as the solution. ultimately, fighting traffic offers a profound new understanding of the origins of the automotive city and the ways in which social forces shape technological change.

1. book name : fighting traffic: the dawn of the motor age in the american city
2. author name : peter d. norton
3. genre : urban studies, transportation history, political science, sociology, history of technology
4. page count : approximately 408 pages (for the paperback edition)
5. isbn : 978-0262141000 (hardcover), 9780262516129 (paperback)
6. asin : not consistently listed for all editions, but isbns are primary identifiers.
7. edition language : english
8. date of publication : 2008 (hardcover), january 21, 2011 (paperback)

about the author peter d. norton

peter d. norton is a distinguished historian and an associate professor in the department of engineering and society at the university of virginia. he is recognized for his insightful work on the societal impact of technology, particularly the automobile and its influence on urban development. nortons research critically examines how societies adapt to new technologies and the often-contentious debates that arise during these transitions. his contributions to the field have been acknowledged with teaching awards and prestigious accolades, including the abbott payson usher prize from the society for the history of technology.

fighting traffic faq

1. what is the central argument of fighting traffic?

   the central argument of fighting traffic is that the american city was not passively reshaped by the automobile but was actively and often violently transformed through social and political struggles. author peter d. norton posits that before cities could be physically reconstructed for cars, their streets had to be socially reconstructed to legitimize motorists presence and dominance.

2. what historical period does the book primarily cover?

   the book primarily covers the crucial transitional years from the 1910s to the 1930s in the united states. this period was marked by intense debates and conflicts over the role and use of streets as the automobile rapidly gained prominence.

3. which city or cities are central to the books analysis?

   while the book examines broader trends across american cities, it draws significant examples and analysis from the city of detroit, illustrating the political and economic forces at play in urban transportation development.

4. who were the main groups involved in the "fighting" for street usage?

   the main groups involved included pedestrians, parents, city officials, downtown businesses, traffic engineers, street railway operators, and automobile promoters. each group had its own interests and advocated for different uses and regulations of city streets.

5. what is the significance of the term "jaywalker" in the context of the book?

   the term "jaywalker," which originated as a pejorative, was weaponized by automotive interest groups to discredit pedestrians and justify the transformation of streets into motor thoroughfares. the book explains how this term helped to socially reconstruct streets as places where motorists belonged and pedestrians were seen as infringements.