The War on Cars The Creation of America's Car Culture
22 snips
Nov 11, 2025 
Peter Norton, a historian and author of Fighting Traffic, joins producer Ilana Strauss to discuss the transformation of American streets in the early 20th century. They explore public outrage over automobile-related fatalities, revealing how car companies strategically reshaped city planning. Norton shares insights on protests and key figures like Walter Pentlarge, who fought for speed governors. The duo uncovers how corporate interests made cars a necessity, leading to a culture where pedestrians became secondary to traffic flow.
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Wilmington Time-Travel Revelation
- Peter Norton discovered early-20th-century Wilmington photos showing dense foot traffic and streetcars.
- Seeing those streets later transformed into surface parking lots prompted him to investigate why cities were remade for cars.
Cincinnati Crash Sparks Mass Protest
- In 1923 Cincinnati, Marietta O'Donnell was killed by a stolen car, sparking massive local outrage.
- Such crashes led to protests, monuments for children, and calls for pedestrian rights in many cities.
Streets Used To Be Shared Spaces
- Before cars, streets were shared public spaces where children played and merchants worked.
- Early court rulings even affirmed that 'children have a right to the streets.'
