When did this happen? American made cars switched from the floor bright light button

[downtown_racine]

MikeG summed it up nicely tho I never realized there were column mounted switched in the 1920's
I also agree about the 91 F&E series probably having the last floor mounted "dip" switches. They also had wiper controls on the dash. The F Series was probably also the last to utilize "wing" windows, a real nice feature for smokers.

IMO in America GM really was the driving force behind affixing all kinds of controls to the directional stalk. I guess other imports were hot on it as well.
And yea the salt sure killed those floor mounted switches in a hurry, some real low end cars and medium/heavy duty trucks had a little rubber bulb on the floor that you would pump in order to spray wiper washer fluid.

[PeachLaser]

Anyone remember that there was a starter button on the floor for some trucks and vehicles? Maybe some people wanted to select high beam and they selected the starter while cruising!

Something I like on my Honda is that even with my lights off, I can flash my lights using the stalk. I use that either instead of or in conjunction with my horn when someone is about to pull out in front of me. It's easier to use the stalk which is inches away from my hand rather than enacting my foot which is relaxed while cruising.

[One Shot]

My Dad had many Ramchargers back in the day and they had the high beams on the floor. Always remember that being weird. They also had the vent windows which he hated because they would leak or have wind noise.
Dodge made those up until 1993 in the US and 1994 in Mexico.