Federal Signal Beacon Ray Model 17, The first modern emergency light History and Demo

Описание: Hey its Zach from 718 motorpool and today we have this Federal Signal Model 17 beacon ray. If you've seen any moviers or TV shows filmed or set anywhere before 1970 then you know this light or the lights that used the beacon ray platform. Without this light emergency lighting wouldn't be what it is today. Designed by Earl Goswiller this would be his first of many innovations while working as the chief design engineer at federal signal
The Model 17 Beacon Ray is for all intents and purpose is the first modern emergency light. This light was introduced in 1948 the Beacon Ray was a game changer as this was the first rotating emergency light. prior to the Model 17 they were either steady burn or at most flashed or ocilated and didnt have anywhere near the same warning power as the Beacon Ray.
This particulari light is the oldest in my collection, So with a few federal signal products made before 1976 you can decode the build date from the serial number and After decoding the Serial Number I found out that this light was made in December of 1957. This light still has the orignial cloth and asbestos wiring.
So when the Model 17 was introduced as a 6 volt light since in the 40s most cars in the US were on a 6 volt system. Most american cars would change over around 1955 to accomdate modern vehicles requiring more power and as a result 12 volt beacon ray was introduced in the same time frame. a 24 volt model was also produced for military vehicles.

Throught the model 17s nearly 40 year year production span several other beacons using the model 17 platform would be produced. The 173, 174, 175 and 176. Were going to explore those in a future video. There was also a version made for california known as the 17 C which had a 6 inch base with a unity steady burn spotlight to comply with the steady burn law in california.
So Because the model 17 was the first rotating emergency light on the market it was also the most popular peaking in the 50s but towards the early 60s it became overshadowed as more modern lights came out. The beacon ray did hold out in some niche roles and agencies until production ended in 1985

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