In 1885, German Karl Friedrich Benz invented the automobile, and car lights have continued to evolve over the past 100 years. The history of headlights is a fascinating journey of innovation and ingenuity, illuminating the path from the early days of motoring to the advanced technology we enjoy today. Let's take a drive through time and see how headlights have evolved over the years.

The era of candles and kerosene lamps: 1887-1904
When cars were first born, they had almost no functions, let alone lights. It is said that in 1887, when a driver got lost in the dark wilderness, a civilian family used a portable light to guide him home. This is also known as the earliest lighting tool on the car.

Acetylene Lamps:1905-1912
The luminous intensity of kerosene lamps was weak and was eventually replaced by acetylene lamps. The acetylene lamps were twice as bright as electric lamps at the time and became a stable light source for early car lamps. They were also called "light tyrants" at the time. However, acetylene lamps also have weaknesses. They rely on combustion to emit light and are easily extinguished once it rains. In addition, burned acetylene will produce soda lime, which will have strong irritating and corrosive side effects on human skin. In severe cases, it may cause shock and gastric perforation.

Incandescent lamp 1913 to present 
With the development of electric lamps and the improvement of their durability, acetylene lamps, along with their shortcomings, have gradually withdrawn from the stage of car lighting history. Replaced by the increasingly mature incandescent lamp. Compared with the original carbon filament incandescent lamp, the irradiation intensity of the spiral tungsten filament incandescent lamp is increased by 50%. The emergence of spiral tungsten filament incandescent lamps can be said to have truly begun the history of the electrification of automotive lighting. The previous kerosene lamps and acetylene can be regarded as unofficial history.

Halogen lamps 1962 to present 
However, the luminous efficiency of ordinary incandescent lamps is not high, so more energy-saving halogen lamps were born. The initial halogen lamps used for car lights were born in the 1960s, and the manufacturer was the later famous Hella.

Xenon headlights 1992 to present
Just as people's pursuit of vehicle speed and comfort is never-ending, as halogen lamp technology reaches its limit, technology with higher brightness, lower energy consumption, and longer life is urgently needed to be developed.

LED Headlights:2000s - Present
LED (Light Emitting Diode) technology revolutionized headlights in the 2000s. LEDs are incredibly efficient, long-lasting, and offer unparalleled design flexibility. They can be arranged in various shapes and patterns, allowing car manufacturers to create unique and striking headlight designs. LEDs also provide instant illumination, enhancing safety and performance.

Laser Headlights:2010s - Present
The latest frontier in headlight technology is laser headlights. Introduced by luxury brands like BMW and Audi, laser headlights use laser-activated phosphor to produce an extremely bright and focused beam. They offer even greater range and precision than LEDs, and they consume less energy. However, due to their high cost, they are currently limited to high-end vehicles.

The Future: Adaptive and Smart Headlights
Looking ahead, the future of headlights is bright—literally. Adaptive headlights that adjust their beam pattern based on driving conditions and the presence of other vehicles are becoming more common. Smart headlights with sensors and cameras can anticipate curves and obstacles, adjusting the light direction and intensity for optimal visibility.