| This April 1, 1955, Detroit News photo shows a close-up view of the DSR's new "stop-finder" map sign, which was located in Campus Martius. With just the push of a button, a would-be passenger's boarding stops would light up. (Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University photo #29978 — used with permission) |
In today's world its not uncommon to find public interactive kiosk terminals located in banks, hotel lobbies, airports, and
inside business establishments such as Home Depot and Wal-Mart. These electronic self-service information terminals
can be found almost anywhere groups of people gather.
Well, in March of 1955, the Detroit Department of Street Railways unveiled its own 1950's version of a modern day
kiosk, with the installation of its Service Robot Information Machine. This large electric illuminated "stop-finder" map —
located in Campus Martius in Downtown Detroit — would show the perspective rider, at the push of a button, where to
locate a downtown loading station for any DSR coach or car line. The rider could find their bus or streetcar loading zone
by just pressing the button of the desired line, and the corresponding downtown stops for that line would be illuminated
on the large map.
According to the Monday, March 7, 1955 edition of the former Detroit Times newspaper, the DSR Commission had
approved the installation of the $2,000 electric sign earlier that day. The huge map was up and running by the end of
the month.
inside business establishments such as Home Depot and Wal-Mart. These electronic self-service information terminals
can be found almost anywhere groups of people gather.
Well, in March of 1955, the Detroit Department of Street Railways unveiled its own 1950's version of a modern day
kiosk, with the installation of its Service Robot Information Machine. This large electric illuminated "stop-finder" map —
located in Campus Martius in Downtown Detroit — would show the perspective rider, at the push of a button, where to
locate a downtown loading station for any DSR coach or car line. The rider could find their bus or streetcar loading zone
by just pressing the button of the desired line, and the corresponding downtown stops for that line would be illuminated
on the large map.
According to the Monday, March 7, 1955 edition of the former Detroit Times newspaper, the DSR Commission had
approved the installation of the $2,000 electric sign earlier that day. The huge map was up and running by the end of
the month.
| DETROIT TRANSIT HISTORY |
| DETROIT TRANSIT HISTORY |
| The web-site which takes a look back at the History of Public Transportation in and around the City of Detroit. |
| .. |
| Click here to return to "THE DSR YEARS" Main Page. |
| For Comments and/or Suggestions, Please contact Site Owner at: admin@detroittransithistory.info |
© 2007 (PAGE LAST MODIFIED ON 11-02-07)
Virtual Motor City Collection photo #29978, used by permission
of the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University.
All rights, including those of further reproduction and/or publication,
are reserved in full by the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State
University. Photographic reproductions may be protected by U.S.
copyright law (U.S. Title 17). The user is fully responsible for copyright
infringement.
of the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University.
All rights, including those of further reproduction and/or publication,
are reserved in full by the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State
University. Photographic reproductions may be protected by U.S.
copyright law (U.S. Title 17). The user is fully responsible for copyright
infringement.
In the July, 1955 edition of The DSR Reporter — a
monthly employee newsletter — it was reported that
two more of the large push-button "stop-finder"
signs were being planned for installation near the
City-County Building and in the New Center area
(near Second and Grand Boulevard). No reports on
whether the additional signs were ever installed.
A far angle view of our top photo (seen here at right)
shows where the Campus Martius sign was stationed
within the small triangular-shaped block, known then
as Campus Martius. Located just to the north of the
intersection of Woodward Avenue at Monroe Street,
the DSR's display map sat across the street from the
old Detroit City Hall (visible in background). The old
City Hall was demolished in 1961. The map managed
to survive sometime past the mid-sixties.
The Detroit Times article and the DSR Reporter issue used for the
above are courtesy of the Stan Sycko Collection.
monthly employee newsletter — it was reported that
two more of the large push-button "stop-finder"
signs were being planned for installation near the
City-County Building and in the New Center area
(near Second and Grand Boulevard). No reports on
whether the additional signs were ever installed.
A far angle view of our top photo (seen here at right)
shows where the Campus Martius sign was stationed
within the small triangular-shaped block, known then
as Campus Martius. Located just to the north of the
intersection of Woodward Avenue at Monroe Street,
the DSR's display map sat across the street from the
old Detroit City Hall (visible in background). The old
City Hall was demolished in 1961. The map managed
to survive sometime past the mid-sixties.
The Detroit Times article and the DSR Reporter issue used for the
above are courtesy of the Stan Sycko Collection.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |