Articles
Journey of Headlight Evolution
by Ching Chong WriterWord “Headlight” simply reminds us big round bulbs that give drivers a clear road view during the nighttime. Those who drive often can only understand lighting utility, which is not limited up to providing clear visibility. There are so many other benefits that these front lights offer not only to the drivers but also people sitting at the back. So their significance is completely clear. Those who mess up with the daily traffic will find a great disparity in need of these lights, in both day and nighttime. The real name of these lights is headlamp, but in informal discussions, word headlight is sometimes interchangeably used which refer to as the beam of light generated and scattered by the device. There has come a significant improvement in the structure of these lights which at the time of release used to own a basic structure.
Let us understand how the headlights of the present time evolved and sequences of events that made this evolution possible. Earlier, acetylene or oil was used in the headlamps. Acetylene based lamps we quite popular because the flame was rain and wind opposing. It was 1898 when electric headlamps were invented, but there were two drawbacks, which were preventing their widespread use. These include:
1. Difficulty in dynamos development that were small and powerful enough to generate adequate current
2. Short lifespan of the light filaments in unfavorable environmental conditions
World's first electric car lights were introduced in 1908, which was a complete lighting set of headlights, tail lights and sidelights. These were power-driven by an 8 volt battery. There were several ways in which these lights were designed and arranged on automobiles. For many years, the shape of the headlamps was round because that is the easiest shape for parabolic reflector manufacture. The headlights keep on changing with time, and their shape and design were varied with countries. In 1983, U.S. headlamp regulations were modified to ease replaceable-bulb, architectural and nonstandard-shaped headlamps with aerodynamic lenses that were for the first time made up of plastic. These headlamps were following Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards.
During the time of 1936, there was a new light type introduced in the market as Hidden Headlights. These were flat until the lights were cranked out each with its personal small dash-mounted crank by the operator. This notable feature was common in the past where most of the luxury cars were equipped with these hidden front lights. Today, this old concept, has vanished, and no such lights exist in the vehicle. Headlights have gone through an interesting journey of evolution which is rarely seen in other automotive components. Their significance is quite high that is why we cannot neglect them and the benefits that these lights give to the drivers.
Let us understand how the headlights of the present time evolved and sequences of events that made this evolution possible. Earlier, acetylene or oil was used in the headlamps. Acetylene based lamps we quite popular because the flame was rain and wind opposing. It was 1898 when electric headlamps were invented, but there were two drawbacks, which were preventing their widespread use. These include:
1. Difficulty in dynamos development that were small and powerful enough to generate adequate current
2. Short lifespan of the light filaments in unfavorable environmental conditions
World's first electric car lights were introduced in 1908, which was a complete lighting set of headlights, tail lights and sidelights. These were power-driven by an 8 volt battery. There were several ways in which these lights were designed and arranged on automobiles. For many years, the shape of the headlamps was round because that is the easiest shape for parabolic reflector manufacture. The headlights keep on changing with time, and their shape and design were varied with countries. In 1983, U.S. headlamp regulations were modified to ease replaceable-bulb, architectural and nonstandard-shaped headlamps with aerodynamic lenses that were for the first time made up of plastic. These headlamps were following Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards.
During the time of 1936, there was a new light type introduced in the market as Hidden Headlights. These were flat until the lights were cranked out each with its personal small dash-mounted crank by the operator. This notable feature was common in the past where most of the luxury cars were equipped with these hidden front lights. Today, this old concept, has vanished, and no such lights exist in the vehicle. Headlights have gone through an interesting journey of evolution which is rarely seen in other automotive components. Their significance is quite high that is why we cannot neglect them and the benefits that these lights give to the drivers.
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About Ching Chong 
Writer
248 connections, 12 recommendations, 854 honor points.Joined APSense since, December 11th, 2012, From Richmond CA, United States.
Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.
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