Drivers passing along a quiet country road north of Gresham, Oregon, often notice something strange beside one particular driveway — a tall, narrow wooden tower standing nearly 15 feet high. With beige siding, a pitched roof, and a small glass window at the bottom, it looks like part of a rustic birdhouse or maybe even an old-fashioned lookout post. But it’s neither.
Locals call it the driveway periscope — a one-of-a-kind, homemade invention designed to solve a very real rural problem.
A Clever Fix for a Dangerous Blind Spot
Many country homes sit along winding or hilly roads, where trees, fences, or slopes block a driver’s view of oncoming traffic. Usually, the fix is to install a large convex mirror across the street. But this Oregon homeowner went a step further.
Using a simple pair of angled mirrors — just like those used in submarines — the builder created a periscope that lets drivers safely check for traffic before pulling onto the road.
The top mirror captures the view of the roadway, reflecting it down through the structure to the lower mirror, which projects the image onto the small window near the base. From their car, the driver can simply look into that window and see what’s coming — no electricity, no cameras, no Wi-Fi. Just smart physics and great design.
Built With Personality — and Purpose
Part of what makes this periscope so fascinating is how well it fits its surroundings. Its beige siding and pitched roof blend perfectly into Oregon’s rural charm. It looks whimsical and homemade — like a cross between a birdhouse and a watchtower.
Continue reading on next page…