From Jalopnik · Brontë Wieland · · 50s
17th-Century Paris Streetlights Were OG Flock Cameras
Paris streetlights from the 1600s acted as early surveillance tools, foreshadowing modern Flock cameras.
In brief
Paris streetlights from the 1600s acted as early surveillance tools, foreshadowing modern Flock cameras. 17th-century Paris streetlights were used for surveillance, similar to modern Flock cameras. Originally reported by Jalopnik.
Historical Surveillance Roots
Paris streetlights from the 1600s acted as early surveillance tools, foreshadowing modern Flock cameras.
Public Lighting for Policing
King Louis XIV installed Paris streetlights to reduce murder rates and enable police surveillance of the poor.
Vandalism and Resistance
Parisians smashed streetlights to protest police surveillance, a behavior that grew during the French Revolution.
Modern Surveillance Parallels
Flock cameras and ALPRs both enable state surveillance, though ALPRs have higher false arrest rates.
Historical Legacy
The French have a long history of using streetlights for surveillance, continuing into modern protests.
The big picture
17th-century Paris streetlights were used for surveillance, similar to modern Flock cameras.
