Headlights were once made of glass; however, using glass limited car manufacturers to certain sizes and shapes. Advancing technology in the mid 1980’s allowed automakers to began using polycarbonate plastic headlight lenses. Polycarbonate is cheaper, lighter, and can be shaped into the sleek front end styling of  modern cars. Vehicles such as jeeps, certain trucks and vans still use glass with a simple headlight shape. However, most headlight lenses are now made of this hard shatter-resistant polycarbonate plastic.