Factual error: In the opening scene when the men in orange sashes are greeting each other, you can briefly see one of the men in an orange sash wearing what are quite obviously modern sunglasses. Even if the glasses were meant to be from the period, sunglasses were not mass-produced or widely available until the late 1920's.
Murdoch Mysteries (2008)
1 factual error in season 5 - chronological order
Starring: Yannick Bisson, Helene Joy, Jonny Harris, Thomas Craig
Murdoch.com - S2-E10
Factual error: Enid, the telegraph operator, exclaims that "He is sending an SOS." However, in the 19th century, distress calls did not include the letters "SOS," It was not until the early 20th Century that SOS was chosen as the international distress call.
Question: Why does Murdoch's bike not have a ring bell or horn? He is often seen cycling through the busy streets at high speed to arrive on a scene ASAP but never uses any sound warning apart from yelling occasionally - which looks pretty awkward for an official person.
Answer: It's certainly a personal choice about using one, and probably similar to how some people refuse to wear a helmet or forego other safety equipment. Most bells and horns on bikes are not very loud and probably wouldn't be heard in busy traffic, making them mostly ineffective. Murdoch would likely still yell, even if he had a bell or horn.
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Suggested correction: The show is set in the early 1900's, which is the early 20th century. By the time this event transpired, SOS would have been established as a universal distress signal.
The show starts in 1895 and by season 2, it was still the 19th century and before Germany adopted SOS in 1905.
Bishop73