May 12 is a holiday dedicated to a device, without which it is impossible to imagine modern transport. Odometer Day is about the equipment that shows you how far your old clunker has come, and if it is time for that service again.
The History
The distance a vehicle has traveled is measured with an odometer. It can be mechanical or electromechanical. No one knows who invented it; similar measuring devices were used in Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and Asian states. The first devices were made of wood, and the human pace served as the measuring unit. William Clayton invented the road meter in 1847. The Warner brothers were the first to install an odometer resembling its modern analogue in a car in 1903.
Interesting Facts
The word odometer is formed from two Greek etymological roots, meaning ‘measure of the way’.
- Modern cars are equipped with trip meters. They be reset when you need to start measuring again. This differs from the odometer in that it is impossible to change the measurement.
- Odometer readings are recorded/taken into account during the technical inspection of a car which, according to current legislation, must be carried out regularly.
- If you intend to purchase a used car, pay attention to numbers the odometer reading. Sellers often fake the reading to get a higher price.
Take care of your personal vehicle, monitor its condition and carry out repairs on time. A car is a convenient means of transportation that helps people get to where they want to go. Its mechanisms should be monitored for it to work smoothly.
When is Odometer Day celebrated in 2024?
Odometer Day is observed on May 12 each year.
Observations
| Weekday | Month | Day | Year |
| Sunday | May | 12 | 2024 |
| Monday | May | 12 | 2025 |
