The yellow school bus has kept its special color for many years.

In 1939, officials from all 48 states chose it.

They picked the color because people can see it easily.

It was one of the first safety rules.

In the 1980s, the bus was at its best.

It carried more than 60% of students in the U.S.

The bus started in rural America.

A car dealer named Albert Luce made it for cement workers.

Then he sold it to schools when his company had problems.

This time matched a change.

Districts closed small local schools and opened bigger, faraway ones.

Matt Anderson works at the Henry Ford Museum.

He says the two changes needed each other.

Later, buses helped with desegregation.

They moved Black and white children to different areas.

That practice has mostly stopped.

Now schools are more separated again.

Carl Fisher drove a school bus for 66 years.

He retired in 2012 as the longest-working driver.

His first bus was a changed Dodge truck.

It carried 20 children.

Safety changes have included soft seats and a sign that comes out.

Brad Beauchamp works at Blue Bird, the bus maker.

He says it is the safest road transport for each person without seat belts.

Now there are not enough drivers.

Many students do not get bus service.

Jim Oppegard retired at 94 as the oldest driver.

He said the work was good and important for society.