I have noted something missing from old truck models, say from 1940 back. Turn signal arms. They were necktie shaped arms which were mounted on the driver side. Usually white with reflectors, arrow shaped. The arm was controlled from a lever and chain in the cab, on the ceiling; for right turn was set straight out; for left up at about forty-five degrees. Some trucks had one on each side. In the 30s and 40s my dad drove feed truck for Poultryman's Cooperative Association in Los Angels. He delivered sacks of chicken feed to chicken farms around the LA area. When I was a kid I got to ride with him once in a while and it was my job to pull the leaver for a turn.
Excellent nitpick. I remember turning arms, too, now that you mention them. Some vehicles had arms with amber reflectors. (Buses?) I thought they were cool. -- Russ
Back in '65 my dad had an old pickup truck that had one of those "semaphore" turn signals.
Not just large vehicles. My mate has a 60s (I think) beetle with them. He called them travellators. He used to get cut up at roundabouts all the time because drivers expect to see indicators by headlights not behind the drivers door up near the roof!
Semaphore turn indicators , as known in the Uk, unfortunately I am old enough to remember them!
My first car Morris 1000 had them , circled in picture and in use (VW beetle)
They are included in a number of aftermarket Brass PE , from memory I think for both the Gaz AA and the Opel Blitz
Didn't some Citroens have them also....even into the 70's?
I learned to drive with a manual turn semiphore......my left arm out the window. ;D