The First Parking Meter – An Oklahoma Original

The First Parking Meter – An Oklahoma Original

By Andy Lee

The world’s first parking meter was installed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on July 16, 1935. It was the brainchild of Carl C. Magee, a former newspaper publisher who was frustrated with the growing problem of traffic congestion in downtown Oklahoma City.

Magee had the idea for a parking meter after watching people park their cars in front of his newspaper office for hours on end, blocking customers from getting in and out. He believed that if people had to pay for parking, they would be more likely to move their cars more frequently, freeing up spaces for others.

Magee worked with an engineer to develop a prototype parking meter, and he raised money to have it manufactured. The first meter was installed on the southeast corner of First Street and Robinson Avenue, and it was an immediate success. Within a few months, the city had installed 150 meters, and the number of cars parked downtown had decreased by half.

The success of the parking meter in Oklahoma City led to its adoption by other cities around the world. Today, there are an estimated 12 million parking meters in use worldwide. They help to regulate traffic and make it easier for people to find parking. They also generate billions of dollars in revenue for cities and towns. Here are some additional facts about the first parking meter:

• It cost a nickel to park for an hour.
• The meter was made of cast iron and weighed 100 pounds.
• It had a dial that indicated how much time was left on the meter.
• A bell would ring when the time was up.
• If the meter expired, the driver would be fined.

The first parking meter was a revolutionary invention that helped to solve the problem of traffic congestion. It is still in use today, and it is one of the most important tools for managing parking in cities around the world.