History of Turn Indicators in Motor Cars / Automobiles

6.15 Turn Indicators

• Florence Lawrence (Canadian) invented a turn indicator for cars in about 1914.

• The device was called an “auto signalling arm” and it was attached to the car’s rear fender. When the driver pressed a button an electrically operated arm raised a sign to indicate the direction of the turn.

• Florence Lawrence did not, however, correctly patent her invention.

• In 1929 Oscar J. Simler (American) invented and patented a turn indicator.

• In 1935 a company in the United States invented a flashing turn indicator.

• A Buick was the first production car to be fitted with an electrical turn indicator in 1938.