Air bags : a chronological history of delay.

In 1952, the first of a series of patents was filed for automatic air bags to protect occupants of motor vehicles in crashes. In 1968, prototype development of air bags became advanced enough to signal the start of active federal government interest. Yet, except for a few Mercedes-Benz models, air bags still are not availableto car buyers as either standard equipment or options. A chronology of the delay in making air bags available is presented.