Now you see it! - How headlights have clearly improved

This series of photos clearly shows how much easier it is for today’s drivers to see at night. All images feature a cyclist 12 metres ahead of vehicles from different ages.

1908 - Ford Model T

Squint very hard ..... almost invisible for a 1908 Model T Ford driver.

Drivers of the Model T – more than 15 million of which were sold from 1908 to 1927 – would have had to first light the acetylene lamps before hitting the road.

1932 - Ford Model Y

The Model Y is a slight improvement.

1966 - Ford Anglia 105E

The Ford Anglia fairs better compared to it's predecessors.

1976 - Ford Fiesta

The mark one Fiesta! If you don't remember the first Fiesta see it's story here.

1994 - Ford Mondeo

Starkly better, the Ford Mondeo.

2016 - Ford Mustang

The man pushing his bicycle across the road is clearly visible to the bright xenon headlights on a modern day Ford Mustang.

Michael Koherr, Ford’s lighting research engineer.

“In terms of lighting technology, we have come out of the dark ages. It is quite incredible what a fundamental difference these changes contribute in terms of road safety and driver comfort.” 

 “We have gone from what were essentially glorified candles to efficient and effective xenon and LED lights. In the future we’ll see more super-bright LED lights equipped to cars, which can actually help drivers remain alert. Visibility at night is now so much better. Like night and day.”

More to come ...

Michael Koherr, Ford’s lighting research engineer.

“We are now developing new spot lighting technology that helps draw the driver’s attention to pedestrians, cyclists and even large animals in the vehicle’s path. This would use an infra-red camera to locate and track people and bigger animals up to 120 metres away.” 

This video from 2015 shows some of the technology to come.