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Citation |
Haas DJ. J. Appl. Secur. Res. 2010; 5(4): 460. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2010, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
Electronic Security Screening (ESS), in addition to preventing a major disruption to the aviation industry after 1970, has produced social changes by providing positive protection for people and assets throughout the world. The sustained wave of hijackings in 1968-1972, which morphed into criminal extortion and political terrorism, could have disrupted or even destroyed the passenger airline business (as well as worldwide tourism). After five years, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was finally able to resolve this new social phenomenon (aviation security) by a series of security measures required of the airlines and airports, of which ESS of airline passengers was the primary element. Historically, we have to thank two individuals, George W. Shepherd Jr. of Philips Government Systems who invented and built the Saferay, the first low-dose x-ray system for screening articles (handbags, luggage) and Malcolm Schwartz of Infinetics who built the first aviation walk-through metal detectors for passengers. Citizens of the United States (and the world) voluntarily submitted themselves to ESS (searches) in 1973 in order to resolve the aviation security issue. Today, forty years later, ESS remains basically unchanged—people still walk through metal detectors and hand-carried articles are still x-rayed. |