Why and when we car doors changed from opening frontwards?

Question

On old cars, the doors opened from the front (as in the hinge was towards the rear of the car the handle towards the front), and they now open outwards from the rear of the car (vice versa) Why was this changed? My mum thinks it was something dangerous about it, and that they were nicknamed death doors, but why would a car door opening from the front be more dangerous than one opening from the back?

Answer 1

Opening from the front could possibly fly open if not latched properly.  Thus while driving forward, and the door should catch wind it could conceivably detach from the hinges, becoming a missle.

Also it is much easier to enter and slide behind the wheel.

Sorry, don't remember the year they changed.  It could have been the first post World War II, cars, 1946.  I can't remember if the last prewar cars did, 1941 or earlier.

Answer 2

They were called Suicide doors.

One reason they were changed was if a car passing while you were getting in or out clipped the door, it would slam shut and kill you.

The other way, it just gets torn off.

Answer 3

The wind pressure going down highway keeps pushing door to stay open. Fighting trying to close could cause you to fall out onto highway if not buckled up.

Answer 4

suicide doors.