“Adam Ruins Everything” Explains the Origins of “Jaywalking”
Think the origins of "jaywalking" in 1920s car industry propaganda are too esoteric for a mainstream audience? Watch this clip from truTV's "Adam Ruins Everything" that adapts research from Peter Norton's Fighting Traffic, a history of how motordom conquered American streets in the early 20th century. It's a good sign when productions backed by the entertainment industry start devoting attention to topics like this.
1:10 PM PDT on October 14, 2015
Think the origins of “jaywalking” in 1920s car industry propaganda are too esoteric for a mainstream audience? Watch this clip from truTV’s “Adam Ruins Everything” that adapts research from Peter Norton’s Fighting Traffic, a history of how motordom conquered American streets in the early 20th century. It’s a good sign when productions backed by the entertainment industry start devoting attention to topics like this.
Hat tip Michael Briggs.
Angie is a Cleveland-based writer with a background in planning and newspaper reporting. She has been writing about cities for Streetsblog for six years.
Read More:
More from Streetsblog Los Angeles
Tuesday’s Headlines
ICE, Venice, Metro policing, Metro board, air quality, Burbank Airport, Warner Center, Amtrak, car-nage, and more
April 7, 2026
Monday’s Headlines
Metro computer hack, K Line, Culver City, CicLAvia, Pico Union, speed cameras, restrooms, car-nage, and more
April 6, 2026
Friday’s Headlines
Is Virgil/Hollywood/Sunset the worst intersection in L.A.? A very unscientific and contentious bracket run by Americana At Brand Memes says yes.
April 3, 2026
Pasadena Moves Closer to Adopting 710 Stub Vision Plan
City Council shared concepts for rebuilding the community razed in the 1970s, and seemed keen on making restitution to the victims of freeway displacement.
April 2, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines
N. Spring Street, Sankofa Park, speed cameras, SM Airport site, Culver City, car-nage, and more
April 2, 2026
Comments Are Temporarily Disabled
Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.
Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.