1905
Mack patented the selective feature that allowed drivers to immediately shift from high to low, and vice versa, without going through intermediate speeds.
1920
Mack pioneered the use of power brakes on trucks by using a vacuum-booster system.
1927
Volvo is founded.
1959
Volvo safety engineer Nils Bohlin invents the modern three point seat belt.
1960
A new Volvo Truck cab is introduced; this steel structure is unrivalled in safety and comfort.
1967
The rear-facing child seat is introduced. The child seat was developed by Volvo in collaboration with Associate Professor Bertil Aldman of the National Swedish Council for Road Safety Research.
1969
Reel belt added to the front seats of Volvo cars.
Another invention this year is a hydraulic attachment bracket for trucks, enabling the driver to change tools without leaving the cab.
1972
Seat belt reminder is invented.
Also in 1972, Volvo becomes the first car manufacturer in the world to present a real, rear-facing child seat that can be fitted easily in the front passenger seat.
1973
Bulb monitor is invented by Volvo. The bulb monitor is a lamp on the instrument panel that lights up when any of the car's lamps that are important for safety are not working.
1976
Volvo becomes the first car manufacturer to introduce an effective system for exhaust gas cleansing, the three-way catalytic converter. The Lambda probe measures the oxygen content of the exhaust gases.