The counters of BMWs have been lit red since the 1970s. It’s not bright red, but a bit soft and towards the orange. Very characteristic, but did you know that there was also a good reason why the counters have this specific color? Listen and shudder: this is why BMW’s counters have been flashing red light since the 1970s
There is a scientific reason behind the red counters. The visible spectrum of light is a wavelength expressed in nanometers. The spectrum ranges between approximately 400 nanometers (violet) and 750 nanometers (red). The color of BMW’s counters is 605 nanometers, which seems to be the perfect wavelength for the night.
Why the counters of BMW give red light
Your eye contains photoreceptors called “cones” and “rods.” The rods cannot distinguish the color red and are therefore not blinded by the light from the counters in the corner of your field of view. This means that your eyes don’t have to adjust when you look at your counters and then go up again in the night. Just look at a white smartphone screen in the dark and you’ll understand what we mean.
The cones see red very well, so less light is needed to see the counters when you look at them. The counters do not have to be so bright, which in turn helps with the view to the outside. Many military ships use a similar shade of red for the instruments.
More modern BMWs nowadays often have a digital set of instruments, where the tradition of the orange light is less faithfully adhered to. However, you can always discover red details in the counters.
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