Interesting Facts about Car Airbags

January 5, 2010 | In: Facts about cars

The airbag Inventor is considered the American Allen Breed . Breed invented his first sensor and safety system in 1968: this was the world’s first electromechanical automotive air bag system of its kind.

Air bags comprise two major types: frontal air bags built into the steering wheel and instrument panel of a vehicle, and side air bags built into the seat backs, doors or roof.

The first model sold in the world who had airbags is Oldsmobile Toronado. It happens in 1973.

The air bag was not seen as an additional safety factor of safety belts. The air bag inventor actually wanted to replace the uncomfortable seatbelts .

The first car in the world which was equipped in standard feature with front airbags was the Porsche 944 Turbo in 1987.

Audi has moved extremely difficult to adopt the airbag. Top German models equipped with such standard safety system appeared only in 1994.

An airbag moves up to 4500 mph within a second when triggered. A force of 200g is generated. They are designed to explode at an impact speed of 19 mph. The bag inflates within 40 milliseconds of a crash.

To make an airbag fill up the full volume it needs 25-50 m/sec (for a comparison an eye blink takes about 100 m/sec) .