When Was the Headlight Invented? The History of Headlamps
The headlights we have today are a result of years of innovation and technological advancement. Just like cars, they have greatly improved to become what they are. The very first headlights were not what we see today.
The journey begins back in the 1880s when cars were just becoming mainstream. Over the years, car manufactures have worked hard to ensure they produce more light at night and perform efficiently.
1880s – Lantern Headlights
The first headlights were not really headlights. They were headlamps that used acetylene gas or oil. They produced a small flame that could withstand rain and wind. A reflective mirror allowed the light to scatter and brighten the road ahead.
This allowed the driver of the vehicle to have a relatively good view. However, the headlamps had to be cleaned often. This helped prevent the formation of caustic lime – a toxic substance that affected their performance.
1898 – Electric Headlights
The first electric headlight was invented in 1898. It was still in its development stage and did not become popular until the early 1900s. The first car to boast electric headlights was the Columbia manufactured by the Electric Vehicle Company.
The lights were offered as an option. In 1912, the first Cadillac debuted with a modern electric system that included electric headlights. Henry Ford started mass-producing vehicles in 1913, leading to the popularity of electric headlights.
1939 - Sealed Beam Headlights
By 1939, electric options had taken off and you could find them in almost every car. Unfortunately, the industry was still not standardized. This caused a lot of supply problems. The US government passed a law requiring all cars to feature round sealed beam headlights.
These were headlights that were completely sealed and could not be taken apart. If the bulb burnt out, you had no option but to replace the entire headlight. That law stuck around for more than four decades.
1983 – Composite Headlights
In 1983, the law was amended to allow car manufacturers to use non-standardized headlights and to include replaceable bulbs. This saw the entry of halogen bulbs into America. However, they were already in use in Europe from as early as 1960.