The Answer:

Carl C. Magee, of Oklahoma City, Okla., is generally credited with originating the idea. As head of the city's chamber of commerce, Magee hoped the meters would free up parking spaces for local businesses. He filed for a patent for a "coin controlled parking meter" May 13, 1935. The patent, #2,118,318, was issued May 24, 1938.

The country's first parking meter was installed on July 16, 1935 in Magee's hometown, Oklahoma City. It is estimated today that there are more than 5 million meters in use in the United States.

Here's a link to The Parking Meter Page.

—The Editors