John Willard Hetrick (1918–1999), an American industrial engineer from Newport, Pennsylvania, is widely credited with inventing the automotive airbag.His groundbreaking design, patented in 1953, used compressed air to inflate safety cushions in vehicles during sudden deceleration.The idea emerged after a harrowing incident in 1952 when Hetrick swerved to avoid an obstacle and crashed into a ditch.

While driving with his family, he instinctively raised his hands to protect his daughter from hitting the dashboard, sparking the concept of an automatic protective device.His Navy experience during World War II, particularly working on compressed-air torpedoes, provided the technical insight needed for his invention.Despite initial lack of commercial interest from automakers, Hetrick's patent expired in 1971, paving the way for widespread adoption.

German engineer Walter Linderer independently developed a similar system around the same time, but modern airbags later relied on chemical inflation methods and advanced sensors.

Hetrick's contribution earned him the Golden Gear Award, and his invention remains a cornerstone of automotive safety, saving countless lives since its implementation.