Sylvie Willis
The fuel tank indicator arrow is a small arrow on the dashboard of a car that points to the side of the vehicle where the fuel filler cap is located. While some sources claim that the arrow was invented by Ford designer Jim Moylan in 1986 and introduced in select Ford models in 1989, others suggest that it first appeared earlier, in 1976, on the dash cluster of the Mercedes-Benz W123. Regardless of its exact origin, the fuel tank indicator arrow has become a ubiquitous feature in modern vehicles, helping drivers quickly and conveniently locate the fuel filler cap.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of introduction | 1989 |
| Inventor | Jim Moylan |
| Company | Ford |
| Models | Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer |
| Other names | Moylan Arrow |
| Previous symbols | Right or Left |
| Purpose | Indicates the side of the vehicle the fuel fill door is located |
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What You'll Learn
- The arrow symbol was introduced to show the side of the vehicle where the fuel filler cap is located
- The symbol was invented by Ford designer Jim Moylan in 1986
- The first cars to feature the arrow were the 1989 Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer
- Moylan chose not to patent the design, leading to its proliferation
- Before the arrow, symbols like 'left' or 'right' were used to indicate the fuel filler cap side
The arrow symbol was introduced to show the side of the vehicle where the fuel filler cap is located
The arrow symbol on the fuel indicator was introduced to show the side of the vehicle where the fuel filler cap is located. It is a simple yet brilliant bit of human-machine interface design. The arrow was first introduced in 1989 in select Ford models, including the Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer. However, some sources suggest that earlier versions of the arrow symbol may have existed, such as on the dash cluster of the 1976 Mercedes-Benz W123.
The story behind the invention of the arrow symbol is quite interesting. It is credited to a Ford designer named Jim Moylan, who, in April 1986, had a frustrating experience of getting soaked while filling up a Ford company car in the rain because he picked the wrong side. Moylan proposed the idea of an indicator in a memo to his bosses, and they recognised its value, especially given its low implementation cost.
Before the introduction of the arrow symbol, car manufacturers used symbols like "right" or "left" to indicate the presence of a fuel filler cap. The arrow symbol was a much simpler and more intuitive solution. It is now a ubiquitous feature in modern vehicles, although some cars still use alternative methods, such as the picture of a fuel pump on the side where the tank is located.
The arrow symbol is beneficial for drivers, especially when renting or borrowing a car, as it saves time and embarrassment by clearly indicating the position of the fuel filling cap. It is a small but helpful detail that enhances the driving experience and showcases the evolution of car design and its focus on user convenience.
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The symbol was invented by Ford designer Jim Moylan in 1986
The fuel tank indicator arrow, also known as the Moylan Arrow, was invented by Ford designer Jim Moylan in 1986. The symbol was first introduced in select Ford models in 1989, including the Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer. Moylan's inspiration for the symbol came from a frustrating experience of filling up a Ford company car in the rain and getting soaked because he chose the wrong side.
In April 1986, Moylan drafted a memo outlining his idea for a simple indicator that would inform the driver of the fuel filler door location. He proposed placing the symbol near the fuel gauge, making it easily accessible to drivers. The memo caught the attention of Ford's director of interior design, R. F. Zokas, who recognised its value.
The fuel tank indicator arrow is a brilliant yet straightforward piece of human-machine interface design. It is a small arrow or triangle located next to the fuel dispenser mark on the dashboard. This arrow indicates the side of the vehicle where the fuel filler cap can be found, saving drivers time and embarrassment.
While the symbol was introduced in Ford models in 1989, it slowly proliferated into other companies' products. Over time, it became a ubiquitous feature in modern vehicles, with most drivers unaware of its origin. Moylan's decision not to patent his invention allowed other manufacturers to adopt the symbol, improving the overall driving experience for many.
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The first cars to feature the arrow were the 1989 Ford Escort and Mercury Tracer
The fuel indicator arrow is a small arrow on the dashboard of a car that indicates the side of the vehicle on which the fuel filler cap is located. The arrow was invented by Ford designer Jim Moylan in 1986. Moylan had to fill up a Ford company car in the rain and became frustrated when he picked the wrong side and got soaked. He then wrote a memo to his boss, suggesting an indicator to show the driver which side of the vehicle the fuel fill door was located.
Before the arrow was introduced, car manufacturers used symbols like 'right' or 'left' to indicate the presence of a fuel filler cap. However, this system was not always effective, as some drivers found it confusing. The arrow is a much simpler version that has proved beneficial to drivers and car owners. It saves time and energy and prevents the embarrassment of not knowing the position of the fuel filling cap.
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Moylan chose not to patent the design, leading to its proliferation
The fuel indicator arrow is a design feature that has been present in cars since 1914, when Studebaker introduced the first car model with a fuel indicator on its dashboard. However, the addition of the arrow, which indicates the side of the car with the fuel filler cap, is a more recent development.
In 1986, Ford employee Moylan sent a memo to their boss, suggesting the addition of an indicator near the fuel gauge to show the side of the vehicle with the fuel fill door. The memo read:
> "The indicator or symbol I have in mind would be located near the fuel gauge and simply describe to the driver on which side of the vehicle the fuel fill door is located."
Ford director of interior design, R. F. Zokas, replied to Moylan, informing them that the company would implement the indicator arrows in their 1989 model year cars. In the fall of 1988, the new Fords were released with the indicators, which then proliferated into other companies' products.
Moylan's decision not to patent the design allowed it to spread throughout the automotive industry. The indicator arrow is now ubiquitous, with most new cars featuring it since around 2010. This proliferation is a testament to the design's practicality and usefulness for drivers, saving them time and embarrassment when filling up their fuel tanks.
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Before the arrow, symbols like 'left' or 'right' were used to indicate the fuel filler cap side
The arrow symbol on the fuel indicator is meant to indicate on which side of the vehicle the fuel filler cap is located. This is extremely helpful for drivers, especially when they are renting or borrowing a car and need to refuel.
Before the arrow was introduced, car manufacturers used symbols like "left" or "right" to indicate the presence of a fuel filler cap. This was not very intuitive, and drivers often faced problems in locating the fuel filler cap. In 1914, Studebaker introduced the first car model with a fuel indicator on its dashboard, but the problem was not completely solved. It was only later that a simpler version—an arrow—was introduced.
The arrow symbol was first introduced by Ford in 1989 after a proposal by Moylan, who suggested an indicator or symbol located near the fuel gauge to show the side of the vehicle with the fuel fill door. This innovation slowly proliferated into other companies' products until it became ubiquitous in recent years.
The arrow symbol is usually located on the dashboard next to the fuel gauge. If there is no arrow, the gauge's fuel bowser icon will have the fuel hose coming out of it on the same side as the fuel tank. This arrow symbol is extremely beneficial, saving drivers time and energy and preventing the embarrassment of not knowing the position of the fuel filler cap.
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Frequently asked questions
The fuel tank indicator arrow was introduced in select Ford models in 1989.
The idea for the fuel tank indicator arrow is credited to Ford designer Jim Moylan, who came up with the idea in 1986.
The fuel tank indicator arrow was introduced to show drivers on which side of the vehicle the fuel fill door is located.
