White cane’s role developed early in 20th century

The White Cane
Although people used canes as a tool for travel for centuries, the new role for the white cane developed in Europe in the 1920’s and 30’s and then spread to North America. James Briggs of England claimed to invent the white cane in 1921. He lost his sight after an accident and feeling threatened by motor vehicle traffic around his home, he painted his walking stick white to make himself more visible to motorists. In February 1931, Guilly d’Herbemont launched a scheme for a national white stick movement in France. In May 1931, British Rotary Clubs sponsored a movement to provide white sticks to every blind individual in the country. Also, that same year, Lion’s Clubs International began a national program promoting the use of white canes for blind Americans.