From bars to cars

How much is gold worth? For those whose lives have been saved by airbags, it’s priceless. In 1987, gold became a critical component of an automobile airbag’s controlling mechanisms. Why? Because it was considered the most reliable material available — both in terms of its high conductivity and because, unlike silver and many other metals used in electronic devices, it does not tarnish.

Gold is also used in a variety of other automobile parts, both big and small. Take for example the McLaren F1 high-performance sports car, which has an entirely gold-plated engine bay.

Discover more at Fire Gold, History.com, and Motor 1.