Definition of turn signal

The term "turn signal" derived from the earliest mechanical signal systems used in vehicles in the late 1920s and early 1930s. These systems consisted of a lever inside the car that could be pulled or pushed to indicate an intended turn or lane change to nearby drivers. These signals were called "turn indicators" or "blinkers," and they initially relied on manually operated flashing lights mounted on the exterior of the vehicle. In 1937, Delco-Remy, an American automotive parts manufacturer, introduced an electrical turn signal system that replaced the manual blinkers. Delco-Remy's system used a series of flashing rubber bulbs that were powered by electrical currents generated when a switch or lever inside the vehicle was activated. This new system quickly gained popularity, and by the 1940s, most automobile manufacturers had adopted electrical turn signals as a standard feature in their vehicles. It should be noted that the term "turn signal" is not used in all countries. In the United Kingdom, for instance, these signals are referred to as "indicators." Some people also use the term "directional signal" or "signal light" to refer to turn signals. Nonetheless, regardless of the specific terminology, the function of turn signals remains the same: to alert other drivers of the vehicle's intended direction of travel.