Trafficators

In 1908, Alfredo Barrachini in Rome added electric lights inside the arms that turned on as they extended, but operation was still by a cable system.

This system was superseded by two French inventors, Gustave Deneef and Maurice Boisson, who used a linear solenoid in 1923.

The final complete system came in 1927 when Berlin-based Max Ruhl and Ernst Neuman combined internal illumination and solenoid operation: (but see Gladstone Adams).

They have been increasingly rare since the 1950s, as ever-stricter legislation has prescribed the need for the modern type of flashing signal.

Many historic vehicles (e.g. pre-1960 Volkswagen Beetle) that are used on today's roads have had their trafficators supplemented or replaced with modern indicators to aid visibility and to meet legislative requirements.