Allen Breed was holding the patent (U.S. #5,071,161) to the only crash sensing technology available at the birth of the airbag industry. Allen Breed invented the first automobile crash sensor and airbag safety system in 1968; however, it took several years to perfect the system (www.inventor.about.com). General Motors was the first manufacturer to offer airbags as an option for 1975 models (www.edmunds.com). In 1986, Mercedes Benz was the first company to install airbags in all of its models. In the late 1980s, airbags were routinely installed on the driver's side of many other manufacturer's automobiles. In the early 1990s, they were routinely installed on the passengers side of many automobiles. Starting with 1998 models, federal regulations have required driver and passenger airbags on all new passenger cars (Automotive Occupational Restraint Council). This was also the first year that depowered airbags, also known as second-generation airbags, were required. The requirements for airbags were extended to sport utility vehicles, vans, and light trucks for 1999 models.
History of Airbag 1951-1960s John W. Hetrick, an 1963-1975 Invented by German engineer Walter industrial engineer and InLinderer in 1951. Later research during member of the United Japan, Yasuzaburothe 1960s proved that compressed air States Navy, designed the u Kobori invented could not blow Linderers airbag up original safety cushion an airbag infast enough for maximum safety, thus commonly referred to as 1963, on which making it an impractical system. an airbag technology current airbags are In 1967, a breakthrough occurred in the based, for which development of airbag crash sensors when he was awarded Allen K. Breed invented a mechanically- patents in 14 based ball-in-tube component for crash countries. He died detection, an electromechanical sensor in 1975 without with a steel ball attached to a tube by seeing widespread a magnet that would inflate an airbag adoption of airbag under a 30