Ford Swing-Away Steering Wheel
While auto manufacturers have tried a menagerie of different controls for automobiles since their inception, one tried and true design stuck out from the others as the only satisfactory option; the steering wheel. And in an era where the space race was driving auto manufacturers to try innovative and unique things, Ford tried its hand with a movable steering wheel. In 1961, Ford’s Thunderbird came equipped with the so-called swing away steering wheel, enabling the driver to move the column to the right when leaving the vehicle, to aid in entry and egress. While most people might scoff at this idea now, it was innovative for its time and offered the ultimate luxury of never having to worry about putting a crease in your khakis on your way to your important business meeting.