Date: 16 May 2003 14:35:17 GMT From: davehinznopsamcop.net Subject: Re: Got my Saab -- sort of
Someone who looks an awful lot like Nel Frikandel <nelfrikandelnopsamail.com> wrote: > On 15 May 2003 22:01:16 GMT, davehinznopsamcop.net wrote: >>The US has had some odd lighting laws over the years. Sealed beams >>were the only legal headlights until fairly recently, for reasons >>that don't make much sense. > Part of it some good ol' fashioned protectionism I guess... Same here, > untill recently side markers and sealed beams were illegal in Yurp. I've been told, but haven't verified, that it was none other than Thomas "I'll steal your ideas and take credit for them" Edison of General Electric who got the "sealed beam only" laws passed. Seems that GE had the patent on sealed beam headlamps, and allegedly got the law passed based on the theory that reflectors of non-sealed-beam lamps would corrode, darken, and be unsafe. Not sure how true any of that is, except for the fact that it would be consistant with Edison's way of doing business. > Back in those days GM did not make different car versions for > different markets, leaving all localisation to the importer/dealer... > They still used to believe the world was flat and pretty much limided > to the north american continent in those days around Detroit I > guess... When is that scheduled to change? ;) > Hell, even HMSL used to be illegal,halfway the eighties, and had to be > physically removed (not only disconnected) because it would block view > to the rear. We drove around in a '86 Eldo, with a freakin' hole > under the rear window... Now HMSL is mandatory. Never let it be said that the laws are driven by the best interests of the consumers. Dave Hinz