Posted on 7/26/2024
Have you ever wondered who you should thank for the lifesaving technology of airbags in your car? Airbags have become a crucial safety feature in vehicles, but their development and implementation were a fascinating journey. The story of the first vehicle airbag is a tale of innovation, engineering, and dedication to safety. The Pioneering Minds Behind the Airbag The concept of the airbag can be traced back to the early 1950s when American engineer John W. Hetrick first envisioned a safety cushion that could protect passengers during a collision. Inspired by a near-accident he experienced with his family, Hetrick was determined to create a mechanism to offer additional crash protection. In 1953, he was granted a patent for his "safety cushion assembly for automotive vehicles," laying the groundwork for future developments. Simultaneously, German engineer Walter Linderer was working on a similar concept in Europe. He filed a patent for a compressed air-fill ... read more