Car headrests (more accurately called head restraints) were invented primarily to prevent or reduce neck injuries, especially whiplash, in rear-end collisions.
Head Movement During A Rear Impact
The first patent for an automobile headrest was granted in 1921 to Benjamin Katz (from Oakland, California). Early sources credit this invention directly with the goal of preventing whiplash from sudden rear impacts, where the head snaps backward while the torso is thrust forward, although some accounts note that in the early days (especially on luxury cars), padded extensions on seats were added for comfort—allowing drivers or passengers to rest their heads during long drives.
However, the safety purpose quickly became the dominant reason. By the mid-1950s–1960s, researchers and engineers recognized the risk of whiplash (a neck strain or sprain from rapid head movement) in rear-end crashes, which were becoming more common as car speeds and traffic increased. Early cars (pre-1960s) often had no headrests at all, or just basic seat backs—making rear-end hits far more dangerous to the neck.
A car seat with no head restraints
Volvo was a pioneer in mainstream adoption: They introduced front-seat head restraints in 1968 specifically to protect the head and neck in rear collisions. In the US, they became mandatory in all new cars starting January 1, 1969 (via Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 202 from NHTSA), after studies showed their effectiveness in reducing neck injuries.
A modern car seat with head restraints
Today, headrests are a proven safety feature—they limit how far the head can move backward relative to the torso, cutting whiplash risk significantly (studies from the era showed reductions of 13–50% depending on design and crash type). Modern "active" headrests even move forward automatically in a crash for better protection.
BMW Active Head Restraint
So before your next drive, adjust your head rests properly. Cheers!
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