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Car lighting: a journey through the history of lamps & rear lamps

So on this occasion of HELLA's 125th anniversary, we take a look back at the history of lamps and rear lamps.

Let there be light: acetylene lamps and oil lamps (1890s - 1920s)

The era of electric lamps began in the 1930s with the increasing spread of electric light. The first fog lamps and even cornering lamps were developed as early as 1930.

The year of 1957 saw HELLA receiving type approval for lamps with asymmetrical light distribution. In the 1960s, the first halogen lamps were developed, which offered significantly higher luminous efficacy and a longer service life than their predecessors. Halogen lamps quickly became the standard and dominated automotive lighting until the late 1990s.

In 1971, HELLA launched the first H4 light sources on the market, which are still today used in new vehicles. The first DE projection lamp was introduced in 1983, followed by the free-form reflector in 1988, which enabled more precise light distribution.

Revolution with xenon technology (the 1990s)

The introduction of xenon lamps in the 1990s marked a significant technological leap. Xenon lamps, also known as HID (High Intensity Discharge) lamps, provide exceptionally high luminosity and a considerably better colour temperature when compared with halogen lamps. This significantly improved visibility and safety for night driving. In 1992 the first series of HELLA xenon lamps went into production, and just five years later the prototypes of bi-xenon lamps were showcased.

The so-called front phygital shields from HELLA are a particularly exciting development. As part of the vehicle front, they combine physical and digital elements and integrate various functions such as lighting, sensors and digital displays in one single element. This means that in future it will be possible to show digital displays and information that can be viewed both by the driver and by people outside the vehicle. This can be useful, for example, to display the condition/status of the vehicle, charging information for electric cars or any other kind of warning.

So one thing is absolutely sure: ever since lamps, rear lamps and direction indicators have been around, they have made driving not only safer, but also more comfortable. New lighting technologies increase both vision and visibility, seeing and being seen – and they also enhance the well-being of the driver. And after all, the light temperatures of LED lamps can even make driving less tiring.

More light = more visibility = more safety – and HELLA has been a leading light for over 125 years

The history of automotive lamps is a fascinating journey that has taken us from simple, flickering lights to highly complex and efficient lighting systems. Over these 125 years, HELLA has made a significant contribution to this development with innovations that have pushed out the boundaries of the possible. And while we await the next generation of vehicle lighting technology, the importance of safe and efficient lighting systems remains central to the future of mobility.