Did you know that the first braking mechanism to slow a vehicle and prevent momentum was tested in the 1800s?
Over 100 years later, the braking system has come a long way and evolved into a very complex mechanical device that is designed to adapt to different road and braking conditions. Over the years the braking system has improved driving safety and reduced the risk of car crashes and braking mishaps.
Brakes Have Changed Greatly Over Time
Over the centuries the braking system has evolved so heavily and quickly and there have been many forms of brakes making it difficult to pinpoint exactly when and who the invention of the brakes happened.
What we do know is that the brake system evolution began in the 16th century and hasn’t stopped since. There have been many different types of braking systems created.
Types of Braking Systems
Let’s discuss braking systems starting with the absolute methods used 100’s of years ago.
Wooden Block Brakes
Wooden block brakes are the earliest brake system that applied the physical principles used to design brakes today. However, the system only consisted of wooden blocks and a single lever that is used by the driver to apply the wooden brakes. This form of brakes was used on vehicles with steel-rimmed wheels, including horse-drawn buggies and steam-driven automobiles.
Mechanical Drum Brakes
Mechanical drum brakes are considered by many to be the very foundation of modern-day braking systems. The mechanical drum brake was developed in 1902 by French manufacturer Louis Renault but was invented earlier by Gottlieb Daimler. When Daimler invented the mechanical drum brakes, he theorized that anchoring a cable-wrapped drum to the vehicle’s chassis could be used to apply pressure and stop the momentum of the car, creating the first concept of the drum brake.
Expanding Internal Shoe Brakes
Expanding internal shoe brakes was the first braking system to be fastened on the inside of the vehicle’s frame.
Hydraulic Brakes
The four-wheel braking system using hydraulics was first introduced in 1918 by Malcolm Lounghead. This system used fluids to transfer force to the brake shoe when the pedal was pressed. This specific braking system was adopted in nearly every vehicle by the late 1920s.
Disc Brakes
Contrary to popular belief the disc brake was invented way before they became popular. They were patented by William Lanchester in 1902. Although it was patented in 1902 the braking system did not become popular until the big industry boom in the mid-20th century. The rise of the disc brakes is attributed to the weight and speed increase capabilities of vehicles, which caused hydraulic brakes to become less efficient in distributing heat. The first system that used disc brakes integrated disc and hydraulic brake functions was the Chrysler Imperial.
Anti-Lock Brakes
The anti-lock braking system, better known as ABS, was created to assist prior braking systems to prevent the brakes from locking up while in use. Anti-locking brakes work by sensing when a lock is about to occur and igniting a system of hydraulic valves to reduce the pressure of a brake on a wheel. The anti-lock braking system transformed and revolutionized the way brakes function in vehicles today and provide more control for the modern driver.
We Know Brakes!
The evolution of the braking system has come a long way and thankfully has provided the opportunity for drivers to be safer and more efficient on the road.
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