When were collapsible steering columns introduced?
They were introduced in the late 1960s, with the 1969 model year commonly cited as the point at which energy-absorbing or collapsible steering columns began to appear widely in new cars.
To understand the timeline, this article traces the safety engineering behind collapsible steering columns, the regulatory push that accelerated their adoption, and how the feature evolved from prototype concepts to standard equipment in the U.S. auto fleet.
Origins and early development
In the 1960s, automotive safety research across major American manufacturers explored ways to reduce injuries in frontal crashes. Engineers experimented with design concepts that would allow the steering column to deform in a controlled way, absorbing energy and reducing the force transmitted to the driver.
While exact dates varied by company and model, the late 1960s marked a turning point when energy-absorbing, collapsible steering column concepts moved from prototype stages toward production-ready implementations.
Key milestones in the development and adoption of energy-absorbing steering columns include:
- Late 1960s: Safety research and engineering work on collapsible/energy-absorbing columns by multiple automakers.
- 1968: The U.S. government begins enforcing energy-absorbing steering column concepts through regulatory standards (FMVSS 204).
- 1969 model year: Compliance becomes mandatory for new passenger cars, driving widespread adoption across the industry.
- 1970s: Further refinements and extension of energy-absorbing designs to additional vehicle categories and body styles.
These milestones illustrate how safety engineering and regulation converged to move collapsible steering columns from concept to common feature within a few years.
Regulatory push and model-year adoption
The regulatory path was as critical as the engineering work. National standards set the baseline for safety features, accelerating industry-wide adoption across brands and models.
- 1968: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues FMVSS 204, establishing energy-absorbing steering column requirements for new passenger cars.
- 1969 model year: Automakers transition to comply with FMVSS 204, equipping new cars with energy-absorbing or collapsible steering columns.
- 1970s: Expanding implementation and refinements across more vehicle types, including light trucks and vans, as safety technology matured.
The regulatory framework created a clear timeline and performance expectations, which helped ensure that collapsible steering columns became standard safety equipment rather than optional features.
How collapsible steering columns work and their safety impact
Design and mechanism
Most energy-absorbing steering columns use telescoping or crushable sections that deform in a controlled manner during a crash. This design absorbs crash energy, reduces the impact force on the driver's chest, and allows the steering wheel and column to move away from the occupant rather than transferring peak loads.
Modern relevance
Today, energy-absorbing steering columns remain a core safety feature in conjunction with airbags and other restraint systems. Modern implementations focus on reliability, manufacturability, and integration with vehicle electronics to maximize protection without compromising steering performance.
Summary
Collapsible, energy-absorbing steering columns emerged in the late 1960s, with regulatory action (FMVSS 204) driving adoption in the 1969 model year and beyond. The combination of engineering development and federal safety standards transformed steering column design from an optional feature into a long-standing safety baseline across the automotive industry.
Why are there collapsible steering columns?
Frontal Impacts
A collapsible steering column protects the driver and passengers in frontal collisions. The steering column swings forward during impact, reducing the airbag effect on the driver and passengers.
Were energy absorbing collapsible steering columns in cars before 1960?
Scissors, piston, and spring designs were proposed. But collapsible steering columns did not enter production until 1967, when General Motors began installing two-piece columns with steel mesh that crumpled under pressure as the column telescoped. The mesh slowed impact by absorbing energy.
When did collapsible steering column become mandatory?
Collapsible steering columns became mandatory in the United States for all passenger cars manufactured on or after January 1, 1968. This requirement was part of the first Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) introduced in 1968, which also mandated features like side marker lights and front-seat shoulder belts.
- Purpose: The goal was to prevent the steering wheel and shaft from being forced toward the driver in a collision, which posed a severe risk of impalement.
- How it works: Collapsible columns are designed to absorb energy by crumpling or telescoping in a controlled manner during an impact.
- Historical context: While some manufacturers, like General Motors, had introduced collapsible steering columns in 1967, the 1968 date marks the point when the feature was mandated by law for all new passenger cars in the US.
Why do people not use steering wheel locks anymore?
Modern cars have engine immobilisers and ignition switch steering column locks built in, so steering wheel locks really are not worth the inconvenience. Old cars did not have this, so locks on the steering wheel were the safest way to protect the vehicle from theft.
