buick special 1938; the first car to be equipped with blinking turn signals

Image: Buickclub

buick special 1938; the first car to be equipped with blinking turn signals

Image: Buickclub

It is hard to imagine driving on the roads without other road users indicating their intentions with blinking turn signals but prior to 1938, that is exactly how the world operated. In the April 2022 edition of CAR Magazine, we look at how the automotive arrived at the highly advanced, integrated LED turn signals we use in modern cars today.

It is mandatory for all cars to come equipped with blinking turn signals and has been for quite some time. This action indicates the driver’s intentions toward other road users but that certainly wasn’t the case with the earliest cars.

The original ways of signalling were standard arm and hand signals, the arm straight out for a right turn and the arm bent up at the elbow for a left turn. If you wanted to stop you had to signal that intention as well, by putting your left arm out parallel to the road and angling it downward.

This way of signalling was highly impractical as these hand signals were required in all kinds of weather conditions, this also raised the possibility of the driver’s arm being lopped off by a passing vehicle. This automatically meant other means of signalling were soon to be explored for greater safety and comfort. The turn signal first appeared on automobiles in 1909 but the click sound wasn’t added until the 1930s. Inventor Joseph Bell patented a small electronic device that made a click sound which directed electricity to the outer turn signals.

buick special 1938; the first car to be equipped with blinking turn signals

Image: Buickclub

Buick was the first automaker to add this new technology to its cars in 1938. For the first time in history, cars had turn signals that flashed which also added a new layer of safety for drivers. Other automakers were slow to adopt this technology and it wasn’t until the 1950s that it really caught on and flashing turn signals became standard practice on every new car sold. These turn signals only worked for the rear lights, but this was no doubt a useful invention. In 1940, Buick put signals on the front lights as well, leading directional signals were required on every Buick, LaSalle, Cadillac and Hudson County Club vehicle.

buick special 1938; the first car to be equipped with blinking turn signals

Image: Buickclub

The invention of the turn signal was a major success as it is still being used today, while some of the components have been adjusted over the years, the overall concept of the modern turn signal is very similar to its early days. The most noticeable changes are the seamless design and easy functionality of turning signals, quieter clicking sound in many vehicles and indicators automatically turning themselves off after making a turn. Nowadays we’ve got reliable light-emitting diode (LED) technology for signal lighting and there is still room for future improvements like increased strength and durability.

Signalling is one of the most important and crucial actions you can take as a driver, warning other drivers of your impending moves to minimize hazardous surprises. You might not see a car in your blind spot, but that car driver might see your turn signal start to blink before you move into their lane, giving them time to react and move out of the way.

Find the full story in the April 2022 issue of CAR Magazine.

Keyword: Buick Special 1938; the first car to be equipped with blinking turn signals

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Kevin Hart Bringing His Buick Grand National, Other Custom Cars To LA Auto Show

His collection also includes a 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner, a 1959 Chevrolet Corvette, and more.

View more: Kevin Hart Bringing His Buick Grand National, Other Custom Cars To LA Auto Show

1972 Buick Skylark GS350 Convertible

1972 Buick Skylark GS350 Convertible. Muscle car hot in black and ready to rumble.

View more: 1972 Buick Skylark GS350 Convertible

1956 Buick Special | Classic Car

Fan submission from Oscar Perez-Lynne.  This is Oscar’s 1956 Buick Special, gorgeous classic car.

View more: 1956 Buick Special | Classic Car

1956 Buick Centurion Concept Car

1956 Buick Centurion Concept Car. Also known as: Motorama Show Car, Bubble Car.

View more: 1956 Buick Centurion Concept Car

Buick SUV Rendering Shared By GM Design Hints At Kia EV9 Rival

GM Design offered no details about this Buick design proposal, but a large rugged electric SUV would be just what the brand needs.

View more: Buick SUV Rendering Shared By GM Design Hints At Kia EV9 Rival

Is GM planning a rugged Kia EV9-rivaling electric SUV from Buick?

(Source: GM Design) Could General Motors be crafting a rugged electric SUV for its Buick brand? A new painting from GM Design that looks eerily similar to Kia’s flagship EV9 could give us a clue. When you think of rugged SUVs, Buick isn’t often the first brand that comes ...

View more: Is GM planning a rugged Kia EV9-rivaling electric SUV from Buick?

Buick Velite 6 Gains 267-Mile Range LFP Battery, Starts At $15,500

Buick's best-selling EV in China has just become more attractive.

View more: Buick Velite 6 Gains 267-Mile Range LFP Battery, Starts At $15,500

See Buick Wildcat EV Hit The Road In Behind-The-Scenes GM Design Video

Using computer animation, GM designers pitched the low-slung coupe to upper management.

View more: See Buick Wildcat EV Hit The Road In Behind-The-Scenes GM Design Video

1947 Buick Super convertible

Buick reveals new Velite 6 electric sedan in China for a surprisingly low price

American Muscle Cars Online Index

Buick Books

1956 Buick XP301 Centurion

1938 Buick | Classic Car

1971 Buick GS

1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport

1955 Buick Roadmaster

2024 Buick Regal Goes Official, Tries To Teach An Old Dog New Tricks

1911 Buick Model 26 Roadster

Holden Commodore lives on in China as Buick Regal

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel