Just another safety feature we seem to take for granted these days, Anti Lock Braking Systems, has actually been with us for some time.
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Going back as far as the 1920s, German engineer Karl Wessel patented a system in 1928 but never followed through and built a prototype.
In 1936 Robert Bosch patented a similar system, but surprisingly also failed to build a working protype.
It took another 20 years for any practical system to emerge, when Dunlop Maxaret Anti-Skid System introduced its revolutionary new concept to the aviation industry, where it achieved remarkable results reducing braking distances by some 30 per cent, and at the same time extending tyre life. (Strange goal for a tyre manufacturer?)
The first road car to have anti lock brakes was the Jensen FF which was produced between 1966 and 1971 with only some 320 examples of this expensive and exotic classic making it onto the roads.
During this time, rapid advances in the electronics industry soon saw quantum leaps in technology and today we even see 'bread and butter' mass produced vehicles routinely enjoying the benefits of this life saving system.
