Driving along a quiet rural road north of Gresham, Oregon, it’s hard not to notice a curious sight — a tall, slender wooden tower standing proudly at the end of a driveway. About fifteen feet high, finished in beige siding with a small pitched roof and a glass panel facing the road, it puzzles passersby at first. Is it a mailbox? A watchtower? Some kind of modern art? Locals, however, know it by a far more fitting name: the driveway periscope.
For many rural residents, pulling out onto narrow, tree-lined roads can be nerve-wracking. Blind spots caused by hills, curves, and thick foliage make visibility nearly impossible. While most people solve this by installing roadside mirrors, one inventive Oregon homeowner found a different approach — building a periscope-style tower that uses two angled mirrors to reflect the road view down to a safe, visible angle from the driveway. Inspired by submarine design, the setup allows drivers to check for traffic before pulling out, all without relying on electricity, cameras, or high-tech gadgets.
The construction itself is refreshingly simple: a sturdy wooden frame houses the mirror system, with the top mirror catching the view of oncoming cars and directing it to a lower one. That reflection is then visible through a small viewing window near the ground. The entire structure blends neatly into its surroundings, charmingly disguised as part of the landscape. To the casual observer, it looks whimsical — yet it’s quietly solving a real-world safety problem with elegance and ingenuity.
Since photos and videos of the periscope began circulating online, it has become a viral emblem of rural creativity. People across the country have praised its brilliance, admiring how a bit of practical thinking can turn everyday challenges into opportunities for innovation. In a world dominated by digital solutions, Oregon’s humble “driveway periscope” is a reminder that sometimes the smartest ideas don’t need power, Wi-Fi, or screens — just a little imagination, craftsmanship, and a desire to make life safer for everyone on the road.
