Editing Dashboard (section)

==Padding and safety==
In 1937, [[Chrysler]], [[Dodge]], [[DeSoto (automobile)|DeSoto]], and [[Plymouth (automobile)|Plymouth]] cars came with a safety dashboard that was flat, raised above knee height, and had all the controls mounted flush.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chrysler_and_Imperial/1937_Chrysler/1937_Chrysler_Royal-Imperial_Brochure/1937%20Chrysler%20Royal%20%20amp%20%20Imperial-31.html |title=Ever Gave Such Safety |access-date=2012-02-04 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140309175355/http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chrysler_and_Imperial/1937_Chrysler/1937_Chrysler_Royal-Imperial_Brochure/1937%20Chrysler%20Royal%20%20amp%20%20Imperial-31.html |archive-date=2014-03-09 }}</ref>

Padded dashboards were advocated in the 1930s by [[Automobile safety|car safety]] pioneer [[Claire L. Straith]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.straithclinic.com/aboutUs/history.htm|title=History of Straith Clinic in Birmingham, Dearborn, and West Bloomfield MI |publisher=straithclinic.com |access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225175343/http://straithclinic.com/aboutUs/history.htm|archive-date=25 February 2009}}</ref> In 1948, the [[Tucker 48]] became the first car with a padded dashboard.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Tucker/album/album/1948%20Tucker-04.html |title=Step into the New Automotive Age in the Rear Engine Tucker |access-date=2012-05-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204091038/http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Tucker/album/album/1948%20Tucker-04.html |archive-date=2010-12-04 }}</ref>

One of the safety enhancements of the 1970s was the widespread adoption of padded dashboards. The padding is commonly [[polyurethane foam]], while the surface is commonly either [[polyvinyl chloride]] (PVC) or leather in the case of luxury models.

In the early and mid-1990s, [[airbag]]s became a standard feature of steering wheels and dashboards.