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Peter D. Norton
Historian and author of Fighting Traffic who researches and explains how automobile interests shaped U.S. street rules and car culture in the early 20th century; featured as the episode's primary expert.
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22 snips
Nov 11, 2025
• 30min
The Creation of America's Car Culture
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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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