From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Blinking light direction indicators as an alternative to the swinging arm 'trafficator' type.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 166\6\ img044 | |
| Date | 5th January 1944 | |
| To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} from Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} C. to FJH{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer}/RG.{Mr Rowledge} 6073 Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}7/JH.5.1.44. Direction Indicators - Automobile. Further to your Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/p.22.12.43. regarding "trafficators", it may be of interest to note that whilst the swinging arm type has been considered by the U.S. the only type seen in service consists of a fixed red light each side at the rear and a corresponding fixed white light at the front, in the top of the almost universal radiator grille. These lights come on to indicate the appropriate direction of turn and are made to blink to differentiate them from the other lamps. The system seemed quite effective and had the virtue of eliminating the swinging arm. | ||