7 of the greatest inventions in the automotive industry

Since the advent of the world’s first automobile, the Benz Patent Motorwagen in 1886, the automotive industry has spawned countless innovations, revolutionising the car into a mode of transport that is safer, more comfortable, and increasingly sophisticated.

Here are seven of the most significant inventions in the automotive sector:

Fuel injection

Believe it or not, the technology behind fuel injection has existed in its most basic form for over 120 years. Henry Ford employed a mechanical injection system in his racing car, the ‘Sweepstakes’, in 1901, and by the 1920s, this technology was more widely adopted in diesel engines. In 1955, Mercedes-Benz introduced direct gasoline injection with the iconic 300 SL, followed two years later by Chevrolet, which featured port fuel injection in the Bel Air and Corvette.

Turbocharger

The turbocharger, a jewel among car enthusiasts, was invented by Swiss engineer Alfred Büchi in 1905. He conceived the idea while studying steam turbines. Interestingly, this technology was used in aircraft during World War I before being extensively applied to automobiles. The first cars equipped with turbo engines were the Oldsmobile Jetfire Rocket and the Chevrolet Corvair Monza, both launched in 1962.

Cruise Control

This system was devised by the blind engineer Ralph Teetor in 1948, born out of his frustration with his driver who would speed up and slow down erratically. Essentially, cruise control allows the driver to maintain a set speed without using the accelerator. The Chrysler Imperial was the first car to feature this system, which was dubbed ‘Auto Pilot’ by the automaker.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) employs sensors to monitor wheel speed during braking. If it detects a wheel on the verge of locking, it applies and releases the brakes faster than a human could react. This technology is crucial in preventing skidding, thus enabling the driver to maintain control of the vehicle.

Catalytic converter

This device is fitted into a vehicle’s exhaust system to convert pollutants found in exhaust fumes, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, into carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water, which are far less harmful. This conversion occurs through chemical reactions involving catalysts like platinum, which, though resistant to corrosion, can be quite expensive, making catalytic converters a target for thieves.

Airbags

Airbags were patented for automotive use in the early 1950s as a passive safety feature that deploys during an accident. However, their adoption was slow until the 1970s when General Motors introduced them in the Chevy Impala produced for government fleets. Today, airbags deploy not only from the steering wheel and dashboard but also from doors, pillars, and roofs.

Seat belts

No discourse on vehicle safety features would be complete without the mention of seat belts. The earliest forms of seat belts appeared in the mid-19th century, but the modern three-point seat belt, now standard in all vehicles, was developed and perfected by Nils Bohlin for Volvo, which introduced it in 1958. Recognising the importance of this innovation, Volvo granted permission for other manufacturers to use the design free of charge.