- Headrest
In an
automobile , the headrest or head restraint is a device attached to the top of the seat behind the occupant's head.cite web|url=http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/safety/articles/105554/article.html|title=Headrest terminology, Edmunds.com|accessdate=2006-11-28] Headrests started to appear as an option on American cars in the late 60's. Headrests were required byNHTSA in all cars sold in the US, effective January 1, 1969.Headrests are featured for comfort as well as safety, as they can break the backlash movement of the occupant's head during a collision; thus preventing potentially fatal whiplash neck injury.
When travelling in an
automobile a properly adjusted headrest can reduce the severity of theneck injury . The top of the headrest should be in line with the top of the occupant's head. The headrest should "not", however, be placed behind the occupant's neck. Maintaining an adequate separation from the vehicle in front while driving and pressing your back against the seat while facing forward if a collision appears imminent might also be advisable. [ [http://www.ntf.se/Tidning/pdf/Whiplash%202005.pdf Bilars skydd mot pisksnärtskada (Protection against whiplash injury in cars) PDF] ,Swedish National Road Administration andFolksam , August 22, 2006 sv icon] This helps prevent the neck being forced backwards, and decreases the risk of whiplash.Today, most headrests are cushioned for comfort, height adjustable and most commonly finished in the same material as the rest of the seat. "(as seen in the picture to the right)"Ancient World
In parts of the Ancient Near East such as Egypt, the local population invented wooden headrests instead of pillows to sleep on due to the warmth of the weather. The funerary burial goods of Queen Hetepheres, the mother of
Khufu , for example, features a bed and a headrest.References
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