Definition of emergency brake

The term "emergency brake" originally referred to a hand-operated backup braking system on locomotives and other heavy-duty vehicles that provided an additional level of safety in emergency situations when the primary braking system failed. Its roots can be traced back to the early 20th century when railway accidents due to brake failures became increasingly common. The first explicitly named emergency brake was installed on a locomotive in 1888 by the German Company Borsig, which proved effective in preventing accidents. The name "emergency brake" was adopted due to the device's ability to bring a car or train to an urgent stop in a critical situation. With the increasing spread of motor vehicles, car manufacturers soon realized the need for a similar backup brake system to prevent accidents caused by the failure or malfunction of the main braking system. The first emergency brake for cars was patented in the United States in 1917 by Frederick Stanhope Clark. Today, emergency brakes are a standard safety feature in vehicles of all types, and their importance is not only limited to cars and trains, but also forklifts, boats, and aircraft, serving as an extra layer of protection in emergency situations when regular braking systems fail.