From deathtrap to lifesaver: The evolution of the carseat

The first carseats were more about keeping kids corralled than protecting them in a crash.

By Eleanor Cummins

Posted on Jan 31, 2019 8:00 PM EST

Ford Tot-Guard Seat — The Detroit automaker was among the first companies to introduce real frontal restraint: padded polyethylene shields to protect a baby’s fragile spine in a crash. Today, we turn babes backward, which is much more effective. Courtesy thehenryford.org

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For squishy babies, cars present a fate worse than diaper rash. Securing kids during a ride took decades to perfect. But figuring out the best way to strap in wee ones is worth it: The right restraint can reduce the risk of death in a crash by 70 percent. Here’s how child safety seats went from precarious to secure.

1920s

DIY carseat

1930s

Bunny Bear Company carseat

Related: Cleaning your baby’s pacifier with spit might have surprising benefits

1967

1969

GM Love Seat

1970s

KL Jeenay Seat

2001

Britax Marathon

2002

Graco Backless TurboBooster

2018

Nuna Rava Infant Convertible

This article was originally published in the Winter 2018 Danger issue of Popular Science.