The obvious assumption is that drivers are simply leaving their high beams on more often, but the reality is more complicated. An old problemBefore cars became the modern mode of transportation, horse-drawn carriages used oil lanterns to light the way, as roads were largely unlit outside of towns and cities. The late 1880s brought the motorcar, which used railway-style oil lamps. Like oil lanterns, they were dangerous, primarily because they relied on an open flame and produced highly flammable acetylene gas. Early automotive lamps were less like searchlights and more like dim lanterns politely suggesting that there may or may not be a vehicle present.