Saturday 17th December 1791 A traffic regulation in New York City established the first street to go in one direction only, or “One Way,” as the signs said.

Saturday 19th May 1787 The Maryland House of Delegates (US) issued a patent to Oliver Evans for his high pressure steam engine. He continued to work on this for the next several years, envisioning both a stationary engine for industrial purposes and an engine for land and water transport. In 1801 he built in Philadelphia […]

Monday 19th October 1772 The Major of London laid the foundation stone of the Maidenhead Bridge over the River Thames. Designed by Robert Taylor, the bridge cost £19,000. Tolls were abolished on 31st October 1903 and at midnight a crowd tore down the toll gate and threw it into the river.

Thursday 20th April 1769 Chief Pontiac (48 – 49), legendary Indian leader and namesake of the General Motors marque, was murdered at Cahokia, Illinois, US. The Odawa war chief who became noted for his role in Pontiac’s War (1763–1766), an American Indian struggle against British military occupation of the Great Lakes region and named for […]