Friday 1st March 1907

Born on this day, Béla Barényi, Austrian regarded by many as the ‘father of passive safety in automobiles’. Heading the pre-development department of Daimler-Benz from 1939 to 1972, he developed the concept of the crumple zone, the non-deformable passenger cell, collapsible steering column etc. and other features of Mercedes-Benz automobiles. He is also credited with having conceived the basic design for the Volkswagen Beetle in 1925..