This Electroluminescent Gauge Cluster from the 1960s is far superior to a screen.

      The instrument panel of a 1966 Dodge Charger.

      Jonathan Gibbs via Wikipedia

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      Many individuals have grown weary of screens in vehicles, and it’s easy to see why: they can be overwhelming, unsafe, and make simple tasks frustrating. They have also supplanted the intricate craftsmanship of a well-designed physical instrument panel. Nevertheless, half a century ago, classic gauges integrated with emerging technology in a truly satisfying manner—though this didn’t last long.

      Enthusiasts of classic Mopar vehicles might be familiar with "Panelescent" gauges. Throughout the 1960s, various Chrysler models, such as the Windsor, Saratoga, New Yorker, and Newport, along with the later Dodge Charger, featured a lighting technology likely reminiscent of an old Timex watch from the ’90s.

      These elaborate, jewel-like instrument panels included backlit displays; however, the backlighting wasn't supplied by tiny incandescent bulbs located behind the dashboard. Instead, they employed an innovative electroluminescent system introduced by Sylvania. "Panelescent" was one of the promotional names Sylvania used for this technology, but the "Indiglo" technology in Timex watches, as noted by Sean Hollister from The Verge, functioned in a similar way.

      On the left, a 1961 brochure for Sylvania's Panelescent technology, demonstrating its application in outdoor signage and clocks. On the right, an advertisement for the 1960 Chrysler Imperial, one of the first vehicles to feature it. Sylvania, Stellantis.

      Electroluminescence is the process of passing an electrical current through a phosphor to make it glow. An electroluminescent array consists of three main components, as explained by the Edison Tech Center's YouTube channel: an opaque metallic electrode, the phosphor layer, and a conductive clear overlay that allows light to pass through. The top and bottom layers connect to an AC power source, and the current directly excites the electrons in the phosphor, leading them to emit energy as light.

      This was a significant advancement 60 years ago, and Sylvania's marketing materials from that era accurately describe its benefits. The process is energy-efficient, generates minimal heat, and emits a perfectly uniform glow that appears consistent from any angle. This last point is particularly important, as even contemporary display technologies compromise brightness and color accuracy from skewed perspectives.

      Illuminated electroluminescent instrument panel! 1961 Chrysler Newport.

      The visual impact of an old instrument panel is stunning in real life, and even impressive in photographs. You wouldn't have encountered anything like it, especially at a time when gauges were front-lit, producing distracting reflections and shadows. The outcome was brilliant, but the implementation, especially in those early days, faced challenges. The inverter needed to convert the car's DC power into high-voltage AC was often a point of failure. Additionally, the phosphor's ability to glow would diminish over time with use.

      However, the technology would advance. Those initial Panelescent displays used powdered phosphor; by the ’80s, companies like Sharp were able to commercialize a thin-film design, allowing electroluminescent panels to appear in many more products, including watches and personal organizers. It's worth noting that, despite the Indiglo branding, there was nothing inherent in the technology that produced blue or green light; those colors were simply optimal for human visibility at the lowest energy expenditure.

      Timex Indiglo advertisements from 1993 and 1994.

      It's unfortunate that Chrysler introduced electroluminescent gauges to vehicles before they were fully refined because, by the time they were perfected, few manufacturers seemed to be interested anymore. Toyota was an exception, incorporating them into the gauge cluster of the first-generation Lexus LS. However, the effect was more understated, as Toyota did not aim for the eye-catching, flashy mid-century art-deco style, with chrome and glass bending light in fascinating ways. The LS’s gauges appeared to almost float in a deep black void, aided by the clever use of mirrors that reflected warning lights seemingly positioned behind them.

      Considering both instances, one could argue that now that we can produce any image we desire on a flat surface, the creativity and magic of those ingenious solutions have diminished. At least, for those of us who can’t afford a Bugatti Tourbillon.

      The instrument panel of a 1962 Chrysler Imperial, which transitioned from circular to horizontal gauges. Observe how the readouts beautifully reflect off the edges of the binnacle. Chrysler 300 Club.

      Do you have an old Chrysler with Panelescent gauges? Feel free to share a picture in the comments below!