DID YOU KNOW…
The Indy 500 Driver Who Invented the Rearview Mirror
At the very first Indianapolis 500 in 1911, driver Ray Harroun famously installed a crude rearview mirror on his Marmon Wasp, allowing him to drive without a riding mechanic, a safety feature now standard on all cars.
Before Harroun's innovation, racing cars often carried a 'riding mechanic' whose primary job was to watch for approaching competitors and warn the driver. Harroun, wanting to shed the extra weight for a performance advantage, adapted a small mirror from a shaving kit and attached it to his dashboard. Although the mirror reportedly vibrated so much it was nearly useless during the race, the concept was revolutionary. It demonstrated the potential for drivers to gain situational awareness independently, paving the way for its eventual widespread adoption in both race cars and passenger vehicles as a crucial safety device.
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