h a l f b a k e r yThe embarrassing drunkard uncle of invention.
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Traffic Lights of Orloj are so called
because they have been designed to
imitate the actions of the famous
mechanical and astronomical clock that
stands in the centre of Prague. (see link)
A richly decorated, gothic tower encases
the upper part of the traffic light, which
now contains
an elaborate mechanism.
When the timing mechanism calls for the
lights to change, a skeletal figure
emerges
from a hatch, waving a red lantern.
Other,
meaningful effigies trundle out in order
from
lower hatches
to
signify amber and green.
Folk waiting impatiently in lines of traffic
are thus reminded of their own mortality,
as the Lights of Orloj circle through a
sequence of clanking saintly figure
changes.
Drivers, and pedestrians, also have an
incentive to stop, by
being rewarded for not racing through
just as
the lights are about to change to red.
Pražský orloj
http://en.wikipedia...rlojAniFigRight.jpg
Death to the red light jumpers [xenzag, Apr 14 2007]
Another image, only more traffic-lighty.
http://en.wikipedia...allClockhzenilc.jpg
[zen_tom, Apr 15 2007]
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Annotation:
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+ I would love to drive in your world! |
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I do rather like the idea, but I wonder if anyone will be oiling the hinges on the hatch? |
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As of February the doors on the original sounded like someone blowing a handful of party whistles every time they closed. |
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Doesn't 'Orloj' just mean 'clock'? |
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Sounds related to "horological". |
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