“A car to me is something that is almost human. Something that responds to kindness and understanding and care, just as people do.”
These words reflect the love that Florence Lawrence had for the automobile. This amazing woman was behind a feature in automobiles that some drivers are guilty of neglecting, and a feature that we can’t ignore for a safer and more responsible drive.
Florence Lawrence: The Flag-Bearer
What she gave us: Turn signals and brake lights
You can say that Florence Lawrence (pictured) inherited her mother’s genes. This film actress and daughter of Charlotte Bridgwood (who invented electrically-powered windshield wipers) caught the same automotive and inventor’s bug.
Lawrence is often called the first movie star in Hollywood. Due to her acting success, she could afford her own car, considered a luxury item in the early 20th century. She loved driving and finding out all about how automobiles worked.
Around 1914, Lawrence designed an “auto signaling arm” that would become the turn signals that we know of today. In her design, she placed flags on either side of the car. Using an electric push button, she could lift or lower the flags to indicate the direction she was turning.
While turn signals have become ubiquitous in vehicles, there are errant drivers who choose not signal in advance these days. She would have raised a red flag for that.
Lawrence – certainly a very courteous driver today – also came up with an idea to letting other drivers know when she was slowing down or stopping. When she pressed on the brakes, a “Stop” sign will flip out to alert those driving behind. This is arguably the predecessor of brake lights.
Unfortunately, Lawrence did not patent these inventions and thus received no credit for them.
But we are glad to wave the flag for this multi-talented woman for leaving a legacy for safer driving everywhere.
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Sources:
Main photo credit
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