What specific event served as the primary catalyst for Percy Shaw to develop the Cats Eye?
Answer
A terrifying, near-miss incident on a dark road caused by poor visibility
The invention was spurred by a dangerous, near-miss incident that occurred while Shaw was driving in the dark, around 1934. He experienced significant visibility issues, likely exacerbated by rain smearing his windscreen and rendering his wipers ineffective against grime. This frightening encounter led him to the realization that fixed, passive lighting systems were insufficient and that road safety required a mechanism that could return visibility to the driver from the road surface itself.
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