check out this pic

[kevinanderson]

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-ORIGINAL-PHOTO-PICK-UP-TRUCK-CRASH-1953-8X10_W0QQitemZ270212850513QQihZ017QQcategoryZ14279QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[kevinanderson]

Look close at the dude's face in the cab.

[Mario Loya B1B]

Looks like his cheek met the the pasenger side window. I didn't know safety glass was available in 1953.

[48Dodger]

My guess is that he's the driver, and his right shoulder hit the glass.....Think I'm gonna bid on it.

48D

[bach4660]

you can see the drivers door is open and what looks like a cops hat just visible.

[PatS....]

Never realized eBay had so many vintage pics.

http://search.stores.ebay.com/Darrins-Photoclique_wreck_W0QQfcdZ2QQfciZ1QQfclZ3QQfrtsZ0QQfsnZDarrinsQ20PhotocliqueQQfsooZ2QQfsopZ2QQfsubZ2QQftsZ2QQsaselZ2216221QQsofpZ0

[48Dodger]

Looks like his cheek met the the pasenger side window. I didn't know safety glass was available in 1953.

INCEPTION OF SAFETY GLASS

Another manufacturing milestone occurred in 1927 when laminated windshields were introduced. Prior to this, windshields were made of common glass, which shattered into sharp shards upon breaking. By laminating a layer of film between two layers of thin glass, safety glass was made possible. PPG introduced Duplate® laminated safety glass in 1928. The film served to hold the glass in place upon breaking, greatly reducing injuries from flying glass. It also provided occupant retention and eliminated cuts that arms and heads received from going through a windshield. The interlayer has improved over the years, as has the quality of the glass, and laminated windshields are found in all cars today. Since 1966, all passenger cars produced in the United States have been equipped with an improved laminated windshield with additional built-in safety. It is designed to withstand about three times the impact velocity of the windshield previously in use.

Though curved windshields appeared as early as 1934, it wasn’t until after World War II that many cars had them. By 1957, nearly all U. S. cars had windshields that curved four ways—not only at the sides but at the top and bottom as well. Curved rear windows, giving more styling freedom, were also introduced.

In the early 1960’s curved side windows began to appear. With them it became possible to include more interior room in car body design. Stylists were able to mold smoother, more continuous body lines. Fabricating techniques were developed to permit drilling of holes in side windows for anchoring and lifting mechanisms. More styling flexibility, and the opportunity to add more built-in safety features resulted.

Tempered safety glass is used in the side and back windows of most automobiles on the road in North America. Today’s manufacturing processes combine the forming of glass to the desired contour along with the tempering process to give the glass its required strength. When tempered glass does reach its strength limit, it breaks into smaller granular fragments with relatively smooth edges to reduce the possibility of injury.

The comfort of motorists has not been neglected as auto glass improves. Most new cars can be bought equipped with tinted windows that absorb the heat of the sun and increase the motoring pleasure of its occupants.

http://www.glasslinks.com/newsinfo/ag_history.htm

48D:D

[Mario Loya B1B]

Wow! Looks like safety glass has been available long before 1953.