Answer:

The correct answer is option 'B' - The light a cat's eyes gave off on a fence.

Explanation:

Reflecting road lights, also known as road studs or cat's eyes, were inspired by the way a cat's eyes reflected light. Here is a detailed explanation of the answer:

1. Introduction to reflecting road lights:
Reflecting road lights are devices used to improve road safety by enhancing visibility, especially during nighttime or adverse weather conditions. These lights are embedded in the road or mounted on roadside posts and reflect the light from vehicle headlights back to the driver.

2. Inspiration from cat's eyes:
The concept of reflecting road lights was inspired by the way a cat's eyes reflect light. When light falls on a cat's eyes, a layer called the tapetum lucidum at the back of the eye reflects the light back out, increasing the visibility of the cat's eyes. This phenomenon is what makes a cat's eyes shine in the dark.

3. Development of the reflecting road light:
Based on the idea of replicating the reflective properties of a cat's eyes, reflecting road lights were invented. The first reflecting road lights were developed in the 1930s by Percy Shaw, a British inventor. Shaw noticed that the headlights of his car reflected off the eyes of a cat on a fence, allowing him to navigate the road more easily.

4. Functionality of reflecting road lights:
Reflecting road lights consist of a reflective lens or panel encased in a durable housing. The lens or panel is designed to reflect light from a vehicle's headlights back towards the driver, increasing visibility and helping them stay on the correct path. These lights are typically installed along the centerline and edges of roads, as well as on curves and intersections.

5. Advantages and widespread use:
Reflecting road lights have significantly improved road safety by providing enhanced visibility to drivers. They are especially useful during nighttime, foggy conditions, or heavy rainfall, when visibility is reduced. Reflecting road lights are now widely used around the world and have become an essential component of road infrastructure.

In conclusion, reflecting road lights were inspired by the way a cat's eyes reflect light. This inspiration led to the invention and development of road studs or cat's eyes, which are now extensively used to improve road safety and visibility.