Manual side mirrorsExternal side mirrors are among the most important safety features, as they greatly enhance visibility. Because of their importance, side mirrors were introduced quite early in the auto industry. Famously, Ray Harroun won the 1911 Indy 500 with his Marmon Wasp, which was the first car ever with a rear-view mirror. During the 1920s, side mirrors were installed on sports cars, though they were not fitted as standard in most vehicles until the 1960s.One of the most important aspects of side mirrors is their adjustment. Drivers come in different shapes and sizes, which can dramatically change a person's field of view, so adjusting the mirror angle is crucial. For most of their history, side mirrors were adjusted manually, either directly or via a lever.Levers were preferred because they allowed the mirrors to be adjusted from inside the cabin. Still, the driver needed to reach the other side to adjust the passenger-side mirror, which often required unbuckling the seatbelt. Fortunately, electricity has made this operation way more comfortable. The controls are now situated on the driver's side, always at the driver's fingertips. Sure, this made them more complex, but it greatly improved usability.Not only that, but automakers today equip side mirrors with many more useful technologies. For instance, side mirrors with memory function allow multiple drivers to save their preferred configuration and revert to it using one button. Heating elements ensure they don't get fogged up. Blind spot monitoring further improves visibility and safety, and power-folding is a beneficial addition that allows cars to squeeze into tight parking spaces.