Crash Test Huevos Research Paper

Esteban Baca, Period 3, 9/7/16

Over time, there have been many different safety regulations added to
improve the safety of motor vehicles. The history of these regulations started
shortly after the first accident involving a car. The first automobile accident was on
August 31st, 1869, and in Ireland. This was also the first reported fatality which
involved this brand new creation many of us take for granted. The first safety
device was the hydraulic brake system, introduced in the 1922 Duesenberg model
A. Just 8 years later, all fords became equipped with safety glass. The same year, a
physician by the name of C.J. Strickland suggested that cars have seatbelts and a
padded dash. This was the start of his automobile safety career, as he founded the
Automobile Safety League of America. In 1934, General Motors performed the first
crash test. Two years in succession to this, the backup break was invented by
Hudson Terraplane. The next development to the safety of cars was the 1949
Chrysler Crown Imperial with standard break discs. After this, a Volvo engineer
invented the three point lap and shoulder seat belt. The last three major
developments were in 1966, 1995, and 1995 when the DoT was established, New
York passed a law requiring seatbelts, and finally when frontal offset crash tests
began each respective to the year stated above. All of these additions have greatly
increased the safety in automobiles from the original, basic and almost featureless
version.
Other important modifications include the following. Buick introduced turn
signals in 1937. Tucker also experimentally added seatbelts and a padded dash in
1948, to see if any of these might increase the safety and survival of passengers.
Although they were first seen this year, these two modifications didnt become
common until the 50s and the 60s. In 1984, mandatory seatbelt laws helped put
seatbelts in cars, although car companies fought this fiercely for an unknown
reason. Another addition fought by the car companies was airbags, which was a
battle they finally lost in 1989. Though these two things were despised by the
major automobile corporations, they have saved 300,000 lives in the 40 years or so
that they have been implemented. Back before these mods, 1911 was the year in
which electric starters were introduced as the original starters were hard to use, and
one actually killed a driver starting up his car. A bit later on, the four wheel break
system was implemented (1929). After this was the 1934 Coll Spring suspension,
making the rough roads more comfortable to drive on, and safer. In some rare
cases, a driver reported being thrown off the road as the car wasnt able to take a
harsh road with bumps. Lastly, 1956 became the year in which power steering was
added, making driving easier so the driver could focus on the road rather than
pulling a stubborn, hard to turn steering wheel.

A passive restraint in a car is defined as the device that protects a driver or

passenger in the event of a crash, so it helped during the crash. An example of this
is antilock break systems, in which the cars breaks do not lock up on the break
drum. The next device is traction control systems. These give wheels traction and
prevent slipping whenever a car accelerates. Electronic stability helps keep the car
on the road and under control. Air bags provide cushions in the event of a crash.
Seatbelts keep the passengers inside of the car and from being thrown from the car
in an accident. Rollover bars can save lives whenever the car rolls over. Similar to
the bars, roll cages protect people who four wheel in a rollover. Head rests prevent
whiplash. Crumple zones take most of the impact before it hits the cab. Padded
dashboards help a person If they are thrown forward and hit the dash. Lastly,
cushioned seats not only provide comfort, but they also cradle the person in a
crash, helping to keep them alive.
There are passive restraints and there are also active restraints. These are
the devices that help prevent a crash from happening. Forward collision warning
systems and lane departure warning systems activate warning systems that warn a
driver that there may be a crash if the car continues as is. Electronic stability
control monitors the cars tires and breaks. Antilock breaking systems keep the
brake pads from locking up on the brake drums. Brake assists help safety involving
the breaks of the car. Break override engages to deactivate the accelerator petal in
the case that the break and accelerator are both pressed down at the same time.
Next, the dash shows the status of the car and if anything needs to be either
replaced or refueled. Standardized parts on a car also help. Each part is the same,
so when inspected, mistakes can be identified. All of these are active car restraints
and help in the case of an accident.
All of the things mentioned above have saved thousands and thousands of
lives. They each have improved safety in whatever way possible and fine tweaked
to make safety the number one priority. For this reason, the car industry has
become one of the most popular and prosperous market in America. Between the
crash tests, the modifications, and lastly the regulations, cars have come a long way
from the classic model A everyone is familiar with. All in all, cars have been an
important part of our lives and have been engineered from a simple idea that came
from one man.