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Flashback: First Modern Glove Box

May 22, 2013 By Nadeem

The Hog Ring - Auto Upholstery Community - Popular Science Glove Box Header

We take it for granted that vehicle cabins come equipped with large, lockable glove boxes. But, believe it or not, that wasn’t always the case. In February of 1932, an article appeared in Popular Science magazine introducing the feature as if it was a big deal – which, to car buyers back then, it was.

Today, some glove boxes double as fold-down trays and refrigerators; contain small shelves and coin organizers; feature charging ports for electronics; and – as is the case for the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class – come equipped with an active perfuming system.

We’ve sure come a long way since this…

The Hog Ring - Auto Upholstery Community - Popular Science Glove Box

[via Modern Mechanix]

Filed Under: Archive, Industry History Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Glove Box, Popular Science

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Comments

  1. rich santana says

    May 22, 2013 at 3:05 pm

    Around ’32 is when they went from cowl mounted gas tanks to back in the rear. Freeing up the cowl area. Before ’32, they really didn’t have the room for a glove box. Interesting they said ‘entirely out of metal’…the box itstelf is cardboard…Have a great day today!!

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