Vehicular change takes time, as evidenced by this list of selected automotive innovations:
1903: Henry Ford helps design the original Cadillac.
1915: Packard is the first U.S. car with a hand brake on the driver’s left side.
1933: U.S. automakers introduce power brakes.
Chrysler Airflow is the first U.S. car to offer unibody construction.
1937: Studebaker is the first U.S. car to offer windshield washers.
1939: Packard is the first U.S. car to offer a modern air-conditioning system.
Hudson is the first U.S. car to offer an under-the-dashboard hood release.
1949: Chrysler Corp. becomes the first U.S. automaker to offer an ignition system that uses only a key.
1950: Buick is the U.S. car to offer power windows.
Nash becomes the first U.S. automaker to offer seat belts.
1952: Lincoln is the first U.S. car to offer ball-joint suspension.
1954: U.S. automakers introduce sealed-beam headlights.
1960: Chrysler introduces four-way emergency flashers in the U.S.
1961: Most U.S. automakers switch from four-ply to two-ply tires as standard.
1962: Oldsmobile Jetfire is the first U.S. car with a turbocharged, fuel-injected engine.
The U.S. auto industry adopts amber lights for front turn signals.
Honda Motor Co. begins making cars.
1969: General Motors Corp. becomes the first U.S. carmaker to use locking steering systems as an anti-theft device.
1973: Chrysler makes electronic ignition standard on all its models.
1976: The Chevrolet Chevette is the first all-metric U.S. car.
1980: Chevrolet discontinues in-line 6-cylinder engines in favor of the V-6.
