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Headlight Evolution

1, Carbide & acetylene gas lamps

The earliest known headlamps were lit by a match, the driver had to get off the carriage & lite the lamp. Not much of a headlight but more to display your presence to other carriages in the dark. The lamps lasted 4 hours before it needed to be refilled. Acetylene lamps running out of gas was very common while traveling in the late 1880`s.

 

2, First ever electric headlamps

The first basic electric headlamp was introduced in 1903 some argue 1897, it did take a while for manufacturers to take up this new invention due to safety & small electric technology still being primitive. Light output was at a very low voltage. Around this era the hand signal was introduced as the indicator lights was not yet given a thought. We fail to see the struggle drivers had over a hundred years ago.

 

3, Sealed beam glass headlights

  

1950`s onwards saw the rise of sealed beam headlights. It changed the style & look of cars & finally drivers could actually see the road ahead. Only problem was they were made from glass which could shatter in accidents causing injury to passers by. One great advantage of glass headlamps they would never have the problem of oxidation. Some of us will still remember our parents driving cars with sealed beam glass headlamps.

 

4, First plastic headlights

Mid 1990`s plastic headlights hit the scene. Finally car makers could mould headlights to any shape they wanted & would give the designers the freedom they craved. Plastic was cheaper than glass which paved the way for more complex headlights. Problem with plastic headlights are oxidation, yellowing & the effects to the wider environment.

 

5, Cutting edge contemporary headlights

Known as digital adaptive matrix headlights, these headlights adapt to the road & the surroundings, much more complex than the earlier plastic headlights. New matrix headlights can throw digital warning signs & images on the road ahead using over a million internal ‘micro-mirrors & thats only the start to what the matrix lights can do. DAMH are very costly to replace but look amazing in the dark.

 

6, The future of headlights

As more driverless cars are being rapidly designed, new vehicles in 100 years will not need a driver to see the road ahead hence headlights won`t be needed. Fully autonomous & self driven activated cars will become the norm, relying on advanced fitted infrared cameras. Sitting in heavy traffic & travelling long distances will become a breeze.

 

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  • Skippy`s Headlight Restoration™
  • Blackburn, Lancashire
  • 07465 965926
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