Electric turn signals were invented as early as 1907, but were not widely offered by major automobile manufacturers until after 1939. However, turn signals were still required. It was the driver's responsibility to signal a left turn by extending his straight left arm to the left. A right turn was signalled by extending the left arm bent 90°, with the forearm pointing up. For clarity's sake, some drivers, including me, would bend the wrist and point toward the right. This was no problem in the early days when open cars were common; but, as closed cars proliferated, it became quite a nuisance to lower and raise the window in order to signal a turn, particularly in the cold of winter. Failure to signal was, of course, punishable by a fine; but surveillance was not as ubiquitous as it is today; and the odds favoring a warm car versus the cold stare of a traffic cop were relatively high. Richard Emlin Reed Wesley Chapel, FL

Thanks for the reminder of the hand signaling Richard!!!! I remember that, while riding in the cars that still didn't have turn signals in them!!! They made cars to last LONGER then today's versions. I would have a hard time calling what we have for vehicles MACHINES. My neighbor and I saw a dandy at the home, on Saturday, and that thing was built to last!!!! There were probably less highway deaths, too, the way they were built!! Anyone know the statistics of that, from today's version of a car to yesteryear's? I remember waving to so many people who were really just signaling to make the turn at the end of our block in the housing project :o) I just thought they were all waving at me. LOL!!!!!! It got to the point they would just wave at me when they were signaling, after a while. Hah, people signaled better when they used hand signals instead of now-a-days, when it is so easy to signal_uh, they, uh, forget :o) Our porch is looking really good!!! and, after the painter is finished, either tomorrow or Monday, it will look GREAT!!!! The painter said he really likes it, too! He is doing a really good job painting the porch. After that, they can put up the spouting, fix the one connecter at the very top gutter, and then I believe they will be done!!! Halleluiah!!!!! :o) Lynn Richard Emlin Reed wrote: Electric turn signals were invented as early as 1907, but were not widely offered by major automobile manufacturers until after 1939. However, turn signals were still required. It was the driver's responsibility to signal a left turn by extending his straight left arm to the left. A right turn was signalled by extending the left arm bent 90°, with the forearm pointing up. For clarity's sake, some drivers, including me, would bend the wrist and point toward the right. This was no problem in the early days when open cars were common; but, as closed cars proliferated, it became quite a nuisance to lower and raise the window in order to signal a turn, particularly in the cold of winter. Failure to signal was, of course, punishable by a fine; but surveillance was not as ubiquitous as it is today; and the odds favoring a warm car versus the cold stare of a traffic cop were relatively high.