Testing the anti-lock braking system on Mercedes trucks and buses, late 1970s

For the driver, the anti-lock braking system unveiled in 1978 was primarily a milestone in active safety: Maintaining full control over the car’s steering even under emergency braking, because the wheels do not lock – only vastly experienced drivers were able to achieve this before ABS was introduced 40 years ago. Now the vehicle itself performed the intricate work of controlling braking – an absolute sensation at the time. Even during emergency braking, the driver still had an opportunity to deliberately a