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Monday, March 21, 2022

The History of Automotive Headlights

The automobile has been through numerous transformations during its 130-year existence. One of the most fascinating aspects of all this development has been the innovation of automotive lighting, which developed in tandem with light technology itself. Despite the constant forward-thinking of the auto industry, critics argue that the golden age of automotive lighting has passed. 

In order to understand this line of reasoning, it’s important to look at the history of lighting in automobiles. Charting the rise and fall — as some people might call it — of automotive lights can help to provide a clear picture of whether a golden age has truly passed.
-WiscoDave

5 comments:

  1. The Low Beam bulb went out on my BMW X-5. To replace the bulb required the disassembly of half the left front of the car. When the $150 bulb was replaced it immediately blew out. Seems as though something called a "module" went bad. This "module" costs $3,400 plus installation. All to make the goddamn low beam work.
    It has taken me two Mercedes and two BMWs to get it through my thick skull that German engineering is some of the worst in the world. Never again.
    Meanwhile, my 2003 Toyota Sequoia soldiers on with 400,000+ miles. It has never had a light bulb of any kind replaced.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Look up headlight replacement for a Chevy Malibu. Woman at works daughter had to have it done. We thought the price was ridiculous. Then we looked into what you had to do to replace it.
      Not anywhere close to your situation, but...

      Delete
    2. You guys are sure making me feel good. I recently replaced both headlight/turn signal assemblies on my 2003 Ford Ranger, as the old ones were getting pretty funky. I got both assemblies on eBay for $55 each, free shipping, and all bulbs were included. Replacement was virtually toolless and took 5 minutes each after I got dialed in.

      I shall consider myself very lucky and now love my little Ranger even more than I did before.

      Delete
    3. Son, ya gotta stop usin' that thing as a skidder. Too hard on the front end. ;^)

      Delete
  2. The headlight buckets on my 2002 E250 rusted out (the previous owner lived in Pensacola) and they cost me $50 each, including bulbs.
    I love sealed beams.

    ReplyDelete

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