At a Glance
- David Morgan owns the world’s largest verified collection of traffic cones
- His search began during a 1986 design lawsuit involving his plastics company
- The collection has grown from 137 to more than 500 cones worldwide
- Why it matters: Morgan’s quest shows how a business dispute sparked a lifelong passion that earned global recognition
A West Oxfordshire man’s unusual journey to owning the world’s largest traffic cone collection began with a courtroom battle rather than a hobbyist’s whim. David Morgan, former sales director of a major plastics company, started gathering cones to help win a lawsuit over cone design rights.
From Courtroom Evidence to Global Quest
In 1986, Morgan’s employer faced accusations of copying a competitor’s cone design. To prove the design existed previously, he traveled across the United Kingdom photographing and collecting various cone models.
The strategy worked. The company won the case, but Morgan couldn’t stop searching. “I started collecting cones, and I haven’t been able to stop,” he told the Oxford Mail.
His method involves tracking roadwork locations and approaching site supervisors. Most cones in his collection sat abandoned for years after projects ended.
Global Hunt for Rare Models
Morgan’s search extends far beyond British roadways. During his 1988 honeymoon in Corsica, he spotted a rare 1980 Adapterform model at an airport and added it to his growing assortment.
His most treasured piece dates back to 1956-a Lynvale rubber cone from Scotland. The collector continues seeking what he calls “the Holy Grail” of cones: a rare five-sided model from Manchester.
“I hear about sightings, but by the time I get there, they’ve gone. It’s like looking for Elvis,” Morgan explained.
Family Life Among Hundreds of Cones
The collection’s impact reaches into Morgan’s home life. His wife Breda has adapted to sharing space with hundreds of cones since their relationship began.
“Mowing the lawn is difficult when they’re out in the garden, but usually they’re stacked in the garage, in subdued lighting, to preserve them,” she noted.
Daughter Poppy, though “not a particular fan of cones,” helps her father’s quest by reporting new sightings to him. “If I see a new cone I’ll always tell him where it is,” she said, adding she draws the line at transporting them herself.
Record-Breaking Recognition
Guinness World Records first verified Morgan’s collection when it contained 137 cones. Years later, the total surpassed 500 pieces gathered from around the world.
The variety fascinates Morgan as much as the hunt. “It’s really interesting. There are so many different shapes, sizes and colors. And the models are always changing,” he told the Oxford Mail.
His collection includes cones from village halls and undertakers-locations that often maintain unique models rarely seen on public roads.
Ethical Collecting Practices
Morgan emphasizes he never removes cones from active work zones. “I usually ask the foreman, but people aren’t really bothered, and most of the cones I get have been stuck on their own for years-sometimes 15 years after the roadworks have finished,” he said.
This approach has allowed him to build the world’s largest verified traffic cone collection while respecting road safety requirements.
Key Takeaways
- A business lawsuit sparked what became a lifelong passion for David Morgan
- His collection grew from 137 to 500+ cones across several decades
- The hunt for rare models takes him from British roads to international airports
- Family members support his unusual hobby while maintaining their own boundaries
- Guinness World Records officially recognizes his collection as the world’s largest
