<P> In Japan, Yasuzaburou Kobori (小堀 保三郎) started developing an airbag "safety net" system in 1964, for which he was later awarded patents in 14 countries . He died in 1975 without seeing widespread adoption of airbag systems . </P> <P> In 1967, a breakthrough occurred in the development of airbag crash sensors, when Allen K. Breed invented a mechanically - based ball - in - tube component for crash detection, an electromechanical sensor with a steel ball attached to a tube by a magnet that would inflate an airbag in under 30 milliseconds . A small explosion of sodium azide instead of compressed air was used for the first time during inflation . Breed Corporation then marketed this innovation first to Chrysler . A similar "Auto - Ceptor" crash - restraint, developed by the Eaton, Yale & Towne company for Ford was soon offered as an automatic safety system in the United States, while the Italian Eaton - Livia company offered a variant with localized air cushions . </P> <P> In the early 1970s, Ford and General Motors began offering cars equipped with airbags, initially in government fleet purchased Chevrolet automobiles . GM's Oldsmobile Toronado was the first domestic vehicle to include a passenger airbag . The automaker discontinued the option for its 1977 model year, citing lack of consumer interest . Ford and GM then spent years lobbying against air - bag requirements, claiming that the devices were unfeasible and inappropriate . Chrysler made a driver - side airbag standard on 1988--1989 models, but it was not until the early 1990s that airbags became widespread in American cars . </P> <P> Airbags for passenger cars were introduced in the United States in the mid-1970s, when seat belt usage rates in the country were quite low . Ford built an experimental fleet of cars with airbags in 1971, followed by General Motors in 1973 on Chevrolet vehicles . The early fleet of experimental GM vehicles equipped with airbags experienced seven fatalities, one of which was later suspected to have been caused by the airbag . </P>

When did airbags become standard in u s