1952: John W. Hetrick proposes the idea of the airbag after having been in a car accident.
1953: Hetrick receives a patent for ‘a safety cushion assembly for automotive vehicles’.
1953: German inventor Walter Linderer receives a similar patent for an inflatable device to cushion drivers in accidents.
Late 1950s: Ford and General Motors start experimental work on airbags.
1963: Japanese inventor, Yasuzaburou Kobori designs a reliable system for triggering a quick-release burst of compressed air. 1966: Ford and Eaton, Yale & Towne both attempt to use a military detonating valve to trigger an airbag.
1967: crash sensors using a magnet and ball system designed. 1967: airbags using sodium azide and other non-oxygen gases introduced.
Late 1960s: mechanic Allen K. Breed invents a reliable, $5 crash sensor.
1969: US federal laws require ‘automatic occupant protection systems’ for all new cars sold.
Early 1970s: airbags offered as an experimental extra in some Ford, General Motors and Chrysler cars, as well as in some European models.
1970s: Ford plan to use airbags in an entire new production line, but then abandon the plan.
1973: the Oldsmobile Toronado is the first car to offer a passenger airbag.
1973: General Motors install an alternative airbag in the Chevrolet Impala but the line fails and they abandon their airbag plans.
1974: Buick and Cadillac and Oldsmobile offer dual airbags on various lines of their cars.
1980: Mercedes-Benz in Germany offers the airbag as an option for their model W126.