Feb. 9, 1909 (Tuesday)

GLOBE TRIES TO ENLIGHTEN PEOPLE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF HEADLAMPS ON THE ROAD: Officials in the state of Massachusetts are trying to pass legislation that would REQUIRE moving vehicles to have HEADLAMPS for NIGHT-TIME DRIVING.
The Globe weighs in today, with a nod to history:
When all vehicles were of about the same speed, such a requirement was little thought of.
Now, automobiles are beginning to fill the road. [The picture above, taken about 1909, shows the Baker family of Osnabrock, N.D.] Because of their speed, they are becoming a menace to slow-moving wagons.
The automobiles driver, "whatever his shortcomings," the Globe continues, "is not remiss in the matter of lights. However, many wagon drivers do not carry lights.
The driver of a horse-drawn vehicle is only protecting himself in like manner when he hangs a lantern from his tailboard or rear axle.
Turn signals apparently lie in the distant future.