Airbags were introduced in the 60’s as an option, no one wanted the extra expense.
It took regulation to make airbags commonplace, not really much to do with patents, more to do with airbag manufacturers, auto manufacturers and insurance underwriters working together to lobby for the regulation…since it benefitted them.
Not that I’m against airbags in cars - this is just how it came about - vested interests.
For some reason, I didn’t realize that airbags became a requirement. I always use my seatbelt and think I’d prefer not to have an airbag go off in my face, making it even harder to maintain control in the event of an accident.
I’m more worried about directing it away from crowds or other cars. I wouldn’t expect to be able to drive it home. And some airbags are overly sensitive. There was a big issue with some pickup trucks with snow plows mounted to the fronts setting of their airbags doing basic plowing work.
Airbags were first patented in 1952. They couldn’t even become common place until the patent expired.
Airbags were introduced in the 60’s as an option, no one wanted the extra expense.
It took regulation to make airbags commonplace, not really much to do with patents, more to do with airbag manufacturers, auto manufacturers and insurance underwriters working together to lobby for the regulation…since it benefitted them.
Not that I’m against airbags in cars - this is just how it came about - vested interests.
For some reason, I didn’t realize that airbags became a requirement. I always use my seatbelt and think I’d prefer not to have an airbag go off in my face, making it even harder to maintain control in the event of an accident.
Don’t worry; if a crash is severe enough that your airbags go off, odds are your vehicle won’t be going very far anyways.
I’m more worried about directing it away from crowds or other cars. I wouldn’t expect to be able to drive it home. And some airbags are overly sensitive. There was a big issue with some pickup trucks with snow plows mounted to the fronts setting of their airbags doing basic plowing work.