1939
In-car comfort systems
Before General Motors introduced the first automobile heating systems in 1939, the biggest breakthroughs in “climate control” had been the introduction of a roof to the 1888 Elektrowagen and the addition of all-around glass by 1929, which protected drivers and passengers from wind, rain, mud, and flying debris. Before windshields and windows, a driver’s only protection was driving goggles. In fact, it wasn’t until the pre-WWII era that fully-enclosed car bodies dominated sales.
Automobile air conditioning started to appear in the early 1950s. By the early 21st century, on-board computers were monitoring the ambient temperature of the cabin and making minute automatic adjustments for the driver’s and passengers’ comfort.