There is apparently no end to the subjects which may be investigated to the benefit of humanity. Research in biology, chemistry, psychology and allied sciences is no longer surprising. The results are often amazing, and recently marvelous and practical results have been obtained, but research in such matters seems in no wise startling. We are more likely to be astonished by scientific examination of some of the common, every-day things which we accept as blessings or curses.

One of the latter, glare from automobile headlights, has been studied by the Research Committee of Lafayette College. It was with the purpose of alleviating the annoyance to drivers meeting at night, especially on dark roads, that the subject was taken up. Some manufacturers of lamps have tried various devices for filtering the light through dark glass, for shading the bulb, and for directing the rays wholly at the ground and never upward. But, so far as is known, none of these has been scientifically tested and found satisfactory, and their production has been comparatively haphazard.

In an effort to determine the cause and possible elimination of glare, the committee first defined the word as “any brightness of light which causes either interference with vision, annoyance, discomfort or fatigue of the eye.” It was evident at once that these effects would vary greatly in different individuals, and that, even if one observer only were used, his physical condition and the amout of light surrounding him would not always be uniform. A mechanical method of measuring glare was sought, but without success, so direct eye observation was used. Variation was taken into account as carefully as possible, but the results could not, of course, be strictly accurate.

It was discovered that a brighter light was required to produce the sensation associated with glare when amber-colored glass was interposed. A definite amount of light was indicated below which yellow glass eliminated all glare and above which the amount of glare was reduced. The committee intends to convey this information to manufacturers, who, it is hoped, will try various types of glare-reducing glass in windshields.