A word getting lost in the mists of time – I was fascinated to learn the shape of the Trafficator arm is closely based upon the shape of the semaphore signal arm used by the Royal Bavarian Railway beginning in 1890. The only difference from the railway arm is that it is halved down its length so as to flushly fit with the vehicle’s exterior.( <a href=”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trafficators”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trafficators )
Not many people know that!
If you don’t know what a trafficator is – don’t worry, it means you are young enough never to have had to use a starting handle and have always had speed limits.
