Extinct Car Features Only Boomers Remember

Early cars used wooden blocks pressed against the wheels to slow down—a crude but functional method. As speeds increased, this system became unsafe and unreliable. Drum brakes arrived as a significant improvement, attaching directly to the wheel and offering better control.

They were more effective, especially for heavier vehicles, and became standard for decades. But drum brakes had their flaws. Under stress, they could overheat, expand, and lose performance. Still, they represented progress. Though not the final solution, drum brakes were a key chapter in the ongoing story of making cars safer, smoother, and easier to stop.