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The modern bus is full of technological advances in power, propulsion, fuel, building materials, lighting systems, stop/ start and even electronic destinations. Computers and GPS have become the norm in the 21st century.
The bus has come far in the past 100 years, from wooden wheels and solid tyres to alloys and low profiles. It would have been hard to imagine, even 50 years ago in 1968, what today’s vehicles would become. No part of the vehicle, it seems, has been ignored by the dramatic advances seen today as technology plays its part.
However, I wonder why it seems that in one — or is that really two? — small areas, there has been little advance and the item(s) are basically the same as 50 years ago. I refer to those two items at the front of the bus, the driving (rear view) mirrors.
They are still basically made of a steel/ composite frame and a piece of glass. They still stick out at a 45deg angle. They still get smashed into poles and other vehicles passing that hit mirror to mirror.
Designers seem to have be…
