Mars Light
Encyclopedia
Mars Lights are signal-safety lights used in the United States
and built by Mars Signal Light Company for railroad locomotives and fire apparatus
. Mars Lights used a variety of means to cause the light to oscillate vertically, horizontally, or both, to catch the attention of motorists and pedestrians.
Mars lights were developed by Jerry Kennelly, a Chicago firefighter who realized that oscillating lamps would benefit fire departments and railroads. He performed an operational test with the C&NW railroad in 1936, and Mars Lights began appearing on locomotives in the 1940s.
The name "MARS" Light originated when the Mars Candy Company took over design and production. The majority of funding was provided by Mars, and they insisted that it carry the MARS name. It has nothing to do with "the light from Mars".
, providing a source for the company slogan, "The Light from Mars". The beams came in a variety of shapes and colors, some locomotives having red and white lights.
. They are still used on fire fighting apparatus, and are available from Tri Lite / Mars, located in Chicago, Illinois.
required Mars lights as a standard LACoFD warning device until the Federal BeaconRay was adopted as a replacement.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and built by Mars Signal Light Company for railroad locomotives and fire apparatus
Fire apparatus
A fire apparatus, fire engine, fire truck, or fire appliance is a vehicle designed to assist in fighting fires by transporting firefighters to the scene and providing them with access to the fire, along with water or other equipment...
. Mars Lights used a variety of means to cause the light to oscillate vertically, horizontally, or both, to catch the attention of motorists and pedestrians.
Mars lights were developed by Jerry Kennelly, a Chicago firefighter who realized that oscillating lamps would benefit fire departments and railroads. He performed an operational test with the C&NW railroad in 1936, and Mars Lights began appearing on locomotives in the 1940s.
The name "MARS" Light originated when the Mars Candy Company took over design and production. The majority of funding was provided by Mars, and they insisted that it carry the MARS name. It has nothing to do with "the light from Mars".
Design variations
There were many models of Mars Lights, which used a variety of methods to oscillate the beam. Sometimes the bulb and assembly were moved, other times a reflector behind the light was rotated. The beam was usually rotated in a figure-8 patternLissajous curve
In mathematics, a Lissajous curve , also known as Lissajous figure or Bowditch curve, is the graph of a system of parametric equationswhich describe complex harmonic motion...
, providing a source for the company slogan, "The Light from Mars". The beams came in a variety of shapes and colors, some locomotives having red and white lights.
Railroad use
Many railroads used Mars lights on a variety of locomotives, both steam and diesel. Mars lights are no longer used by railways, having been replaced by ditch lights, with the exception of some passenger carriers, such as Chicago's MetraMetra
Metra is the commuter rail division of the Illinois Regional Transportation Authority. The system serves Chicago and its metropolitan area through 240 stations on 11 different rail lines. Throughout the 21st century, Metra has been the second busiest commuter rail system in the United States by...
. They are still used on fire fighting apparatus, and are available from Tri Lite / Mars, located in Chicago, Illinois.
LAFD requirement
The Los Angeles Fire DepartmentLos Angeles Fire Department
The Los Angeles Fire Department is the agency that provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the city of Los Angeles....
required Mars lights as a standard LACoFD warning device until the Federal BeaconRay was adopted as a replacement.