Red light district

[GSCole]

The original distinction for the red light, per se, is still not clear
to me.  Searching at the MOA sites, I found only a few cites of 'red
light' or 'redlight'.  Searching on 'red lantern', however, turned us
quite a number of cites, including the uses of red lanterns:  at sea;
with railroads; at the door of a school; and with other associations on
land.  Along the way, there were also mentions of both white and blue
lanterns, but I wasn't searching for those distinctions.

Did the advent of glass globes bring about the first distinctions
between lantern or signal flame colors?  Or, were glass globes preceded
by other translucent material, e.g., horn, and the distinctions between
signal colors arose at that time?  Or...?

Then, at what stage of usage did the red lights creep into association
with distinct parts of cities and towns?  And, may the distinction be
said to be recognized worldwide?

Just wondering.

George S. Cole  gscole at ark.ship.edu
Shippensburg University