Crumple zones

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Crumple zones
Mercedes-Benz was the first to deal with the crumple zone
Volvo in particular is generally regarded as the company that deals with the safety of motorized traffic. In contrast, it was Mercedes-Benz who was responsible for one of the most important inventions when it comes to safety.

Said German car manufacturer can boast perhaps the greatest invention that contributed to passive safety, the crumple zone. The curling look absorbs the energy, increasing the chance of survival in the passenger compartment. Previously, manufacturers made the carriage stiffer than what hit it. Great of course when you went full concrete, but not as handy when you drove an 2CV, Fiatje or Mini 'inside'. The first car with a wrinkle zone was the Mercedes-Benz W111, which was introduced at the end of 1959. Other manufacturers soon followed. Today, this crumple zone is an indispensable part in the automotive world.

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  1. Perhaps also nice to know is that contrary to what many think it was already in 1936 Chrysler and Desoto who applied the first cage construction on the Airflow. On the site of Jay Leno you can find a very nice promotional video from that time. There the new brakes and the roll cage are tested; very entertaining! Jay shows his 1936 Chrysler complete with a test drive on his site. I myself have the almost identical Desoto (also from Chrysler) from 1936. This is the short wheel base version of the Chrysler that Jay Leno has in his stable. He says there that 3 of that car are still in the world. It is (unknown) about my Desoto Airflow.

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