National Odometer Day
May 12, Monday
History of the holiday
The date was chosen in honor of the patent for one of the versions of the mechanical odometer, granted in the USA. Although similar devices existed in ancient Rome, it was in the 19th–20th centuries that odometers became an integral part of every vehicle.
Objectives of the holiday
- To honor engineering achievements
- To raise awareness about the importance of accurate mileage tracking
- To remind of the importance of regular vehicle maintenance
- To encourage attention to the history of technological development
How is it celebrated?
- Checking the odometer of your own car and planning maintenance
- Reading about the history of distance measuring devices
- Visiting automotive museums or exhibitions
- Sharing stories about your car journeys, including mileage covered
Interesting facts about odometers
- Odometers were first used in ancient times to measure distances for road construction
- Digital odometers began to be widely installed in cars in the 1980s
- Manipulating the odometer (rolling back the mileage) is considered illegal in many countries
Why is it important?
An odometer is not just a device for counting kilometers. It helps monitor the condition of a vehicle, plan maintenance, and maintain road safety.