10 Legendary Automotive Inventions That Changed Driving Forever

5. Power Steering

Ever parallel-parked a giant SUV with one hand? Thank power steering for making the impossible, easy. What started as a luxury for the well-heeled is now a universal comfort, with nearly every car on the road offering hydraulic or electric assistance that lightens the steering load. Power steering means you don’t need a wrestler’s arms to make a tight U-turn or glide through a packed parking lot. That translates to less fatigue on the daily grind and opens modern vehicles to drivers of every age and strength. For older cars, city driving was a mini workout every time you spun the wheel at slow speeds—power steering changed the game. It has also paved the way for bigger, safer vehicles and made precise handling possible across the board. For drivers who love both comfort and confidence, this invention is the unsung hero that brought the fun back into maneuvering any vehicle.

6. Airbags

Seat belts may be the first line of defense, but airbags are the secret weapon that’s saved thousands of lives. Packaged discreetly inside your steering wheel, dashboard, or even the sides of your seats, these rapid-response cushions burst into action in milliseconds if you’re unlucky enough to crash. Their core purpose? To spread out the force of a collision, preventing serious chest and head injuries. Airbags began appearing in high-end U.S. models in the 1970s and quickly became standard equipment worldwide. Today’s systems use networks of sensors to detect impacts and decide exactly when (and which) bags to deploy. For drivers and families alike, it’s hard to overstate the sense of reassurance that comes from knowing you have this high-speed backup on your side, quietly waiting to jump into action the instant you need it most.