New SAE International Book Chronicles the History of Automobile Safety and Occupant Protection

WARRENDALE, Pa., Feb. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SAE International offers a new book that provides a historical review of safety features appearing on passenger cars that have been produced for sale in the U.S. from 1900 to the present. A main theme throughout "Occupant Protection and Automobile Safety in the U.S. since 1900" is the impact the automobile has made on society, with particular emphasis on accidents and loss of life. Another theme is the technological advances that have contributed to safer driving.

Although technical details of the major safety-related components of automobiles are covered, "Occupant Protection and Automobile Safety in the U.S. since 1900" is written for anyone with an interest in the workings of motor vehicles in general.

Topics include:

• Events driving the implementation of specific safety features
• Government involvement and legislative actions
• Effects of mandated and non-mandated implementation
• Effects of safety technologies on annual passenger deaths
• Technical details of specific innovations
• Development of crash protection testing standards

Each of the five chapters covers a different period in the evolution of passenger cars. They include detailed descriptions of technologies and advancements that have directly contributed to the production, operation, and crash-survivability improvements made to automobiles. Also included are commentaries relating to influences of political and industry-driven initiatives, consumer reactions, and apparent effects of these influences on annual fatality rates. The book is available in print and e-book formats.

Author Roger F. Wells has more than 35 years' experience in automotive engineering. He has been at the forefront of advanced automotive technologies that include original microprocessor-controlled engine diagnostic systems, early 1990s implementations of airbag crash protection systems, and development of sensors for passenger vehicle stability control. He has MBA and Ph.D. degrees in business management, is a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (U.K.), a holder of five U.S. Patents, and has published articles and technical reports in the Sensors Magazine and SAE International journals.

Individual chapters include:

• Pre-1900 Automobiles
• 1900 to 1924:  Early Regulations and Safety Systems
• 1924 to 1934:  Early Governmental Concern
• 1934 to 1955:  The Laissez-Faire Years
• 1955 to Present:  Science, Technology, and Safety

Book Details

Published By: SAE International
Published: March 2012
Pages: 256
Binding: Hardbound
Product Code: R-404
ISBN: 978-0-7680-3529-2
Price: $62.95 List, $50.36-$56.66 SAE Member (This is a special pre-publication price. Once the book is published, the list price will be $69.95.)

For more information, including free front and back matter, or to order "Occupant Protection and Automobile Safety in the U.S. since 1900," visit: http://books.sae.org/book-r-404.

To request an electronic review copy of the book, email [email protected] . Forward published reviews to Shawn Andreassi at [email protected]  or SAE International, 400 Commonwealth Dr., Warrendale PA, 15096-0001, to receive a print copy of the book or another equivalent SAE International book.

Other related books from SAE International include:

• Head Injury Biomechanics, SET by: Jeffrey A. Pike
• Automotive Safety Handbook, Second Edition by: Ulrich W. Seiffert and Lothar Wech
• Vehicle Accident Analysis and Reconstruction Methods, Second Edition by: Raymond M. Brach and Matthew Brach

SAE International is a global association of more than 134,000 engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries. SAE International's core competencies are life-long learning and voluntary consensus standards development. SAE International's charitable arm is the SAE Foundation, which supports many programs, including A World In Motion® and the Collegiate Design Series.

Follow SAE International News on Facebook and Twitter!

- www.sae.org -

Contact: Shawn Andreassi of SAE International, 1-724-772-8522 or [email protected]

SOURCE SAE International