105 Year Car Number Plate Anniversary

On the 25th of April came the 105th anniversary of the automobile number plates official using proceeding. First the law obliging every driver provide his car with plate displaying number was passed in New York State, USA.

Still the idea of automobiles “inventory” appeared soon after they were invented – in 90s of XIX century. Initially there were no state number plates as each driver was to produce it on his own and at own expense. Early drivers had to order name plates for their automobiles from smiths coiners and crockery producers. First auto number plates were manufactured from metal, porcelain, faience; in the times of wars drivers were making number plates from cardboards and leather.

Automobile number plates dimensions and form took various examples. But in 1957 worldwide number plates standardization was performed resulted in three standards of number plates.

The countries of Western hemisphere use number plates for their cars of 6x12 inches (15.2x30.4 cm). In Europe the dimensions of 52x11 cm are in use and finally the Pacific region countries use car number plates which are an average between first standards.

The current number of automobiles registered surpasses 700 millions. Experts suppose by 2010 the world automobile park will reach the amount of one billion.