The Turn Signal: A Brief History of Communication on the Road
Have you ever stopped to think about how chaotic driving must have been before the turn signal was invented? In the early days of the... Read more → The post The Turn Signal: A Brief History of Communication on the Road appeared first on CAR Magazine.
Have you ever stopped to think about how chaotic driving must have been before the turn signal was invented? In the early days of the automobile, when it was more of a novelty than a necessary means of transportation, there were few cars on the road and encounters between motorists were rare. However, as the car became more prevalent in society, the need for a way to communicate one’s intentions on the road became increasingly important.
The original method of indicating turns was with hand gestures, which was carried over from the horse-drawn carriage era. However, this proved to be impractical in inclement weather and posed dangers to pedestrians and cyclists. As a result, other means of signaling were explored, including the cable-operated Trafficator, which popped up from a car’s wings or B-pillar in the early 1900s.
Image: Buick Special
The big innovation came in 1930 when American inventor Joseph Bell created a relay device that allowed a car’s brake lights to flash independently of one another, signaling a turn. This system was first implemented by Buick in 1938, but it wasn’t widely adopted until the 1950s, when the number of cars on the road made its usefulness more apparent.
Over time, the turn signal system evolved and became more sophisticated. It was eventually overseen by computers, with a wiring-channelled relay replacing mechanical parts. Despite these advancements, the classic ticking noise associated with activating the turn signal has remained, albeit in a digitally produced form.
Image: iStock
Other companies, such as Volvo, Ford, and Audi, have also made significant contributions to the turn signal system over the years. Thanks to these pioneers and innovators, driving has become a much safer and more organized activity. The turn signal may seem like a small detail, but it has made a huge impact on the way we navigate roads and highways.
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