Testing First Air Bag Safety Device

Aug. 5, 1955 - Detroit, MI, U.S. - Instant protection for driver. The idea is for a rubber bag to become instantly inflated on impact. The device is assembled in the steering wheel and is being developed by American Motors research labs. An airbag is a vehicle safety device. It is an occupant restraint consisting of a flexible envelope designed to inflate rapidly in an automobile collision, to prevent vehicle occupants from striking interior objects such as the steering wheel or window. American inventor, John W. Hetrick designed the original safety cushion for automotive use in 1952 at his kitchen table. His patent lasted only 17 years long before the mainstream automotive usage. Dr. Allen S. Breed, invented and developed a key component for automotive use: the ball-in-tube inertial sensor for crash detection. Breed Corporation then marketed this innovation first in 1967 to Chrysler

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Assembled Automotive Chrysler Collision Component Consisting Cushion Detection Developed Envelope Flexible Hetrick Idea Impact Inertial Inflate Inflated Innovation Instant Instantly Invented Labs Lasted Marketed Motors Occupant Occupants Patent Prevent Rapidly Restraint Sensor Steering Striking Usage

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