This is the first-time drivers were given an insight into what happened under the bonnet of their cars. The devices were referred to as gauges, with early versions being completely non electrical and totally analogue in their design.
2nd Gen
With the arrival and popularity of pocket calculators, Microprocessors and LCD technology within affordable reach of drivers they could at last get a precise number and a value which was accurate and easy to read.
3rd Gen
The game changer. This is the first time that drivers had meaningful messages displayed instead of values and numbers. Gone were the days of keeping one eye on the values of gauges and needing to work out which values are good and bad.