In the 1910's and 20's, economic pressures and the rise of the motorbus produced dramatic changes in the streetcar industry. A promising solution to ensure profitability was the introduction of the so-called "Safety Car" designed by Stone and Webster Corp. engineer Charles O. Birney. This type of small trolley featured several innovations, including "deadman" controls that automatically cut power to the motors and applied brakes in an emergency. The main attraction for transit companies however was the fact that the cars' design allowed a man to both run the car and take fares. The...