1980s
Airbags popularized
Airbags were first envisioned in the 1950s, and were introduced on a few Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac models in the 1970s, but became more prevalent in the 1980s. Side airbags were first offered by Volvo in 1995. By 1998, dual front airbags were required on all US passenger vehicles. By the way, in 1982 the automotive industry provided one out of every six jobs in the United States.