Few components on the outside of your car are more crucial than bumpers. Bumpers are critical to your car’s life and the well-being of everyone inside it after a crash. They act as a barrier against the impact of other vehicles. Most drivers know it’s crucial to get a car with sturdy bumpers and to take proper care of those bumpers from the start. Few people, however, are aware of bumpers' origins or how they began to perform their protective function. Here is how bumper technology has improved over the years!

Bumpers in the Beginning

While most of us think of the bumper as a standard element of a car, the latter predates the former by more than thirty years. Automobiles first appeared in 1885, but manufacturers did not add bumpers until around 1915. They were almost entirely decorative when they did arrive. Automobile manufacturers began to build flashier bumpers as automobiles got more popular and buyers desired more attractive vehicle choices. The chrome bumper made its debut in the 1920s. On the 1926 Superior, Chevy set a precedent by offering forward chrome bumpers with two bars as an option.

After the War

Following World War II, the United States and other industrialized countries had an economic boom that fueled demand for even more attractive automobiles. Automobile manufacturers began to integrate forward bumpers and grilles in the 1950s, paving the way for their present form. Buick was the first to combine these two features, and Oldsmobile, Ford, Pontiac, and Chrysler were fast to follow suit. On the 1957 Edsel, Ford took the unusual step of integrating three bumper elements into one.

The Rise of Regulation

The United States Government enacted the first bumper laws in 1973. Recognizing the potential for this technology to safeguard automobiles and drivers in collisions, authorities specified that it be able to resist a rear impact of up to 2.5 miles per hour and a frontal impact of up to 5 miles per hour. The bumpers would only be regarded sturdy enough to guarantee full vehicle safety if the taillights, headlights, fuel system equipment, and other vital components were intact during the impact. In 1974, the government reinforced these laws, requiring bumpers to protect the engine, safety systems, and lights in any crash with a speed of fewer than 5 miles per hour.

Fast forward to today and bumper style and safety have come a long way. In addition to protecting in case of a crash, many now also house lighting to better see in the dark. Many provide solid and strong mounting points and even allow a winch to be attached for speedy recovery situations. We here at Supreme Suspensions® are determined to continue this tradition.

We hope you have enjoyed our recap of how bumper technology has improved over the years! If you are considering upgrading your bumper with aftermarket winch bumpers, make sure you reach out to supreme suspensions today!