In the early 1980’s, the use of computer-based methods for motor vehicle safety research was limited to large corporations or research institutions with access to mainframe computers. Determined to overcome this restriction, Engineering Dynamics Corporation (EDC) founders Terry D. Day and Randall L. Hargens set out to develop a series of sophisticated tools for the practicing crash reconstructionist. In 1984, EDC revolutionized the vehicle safety industry by introducing the first commercially available crash reconstruction program. A total of five programs were developed and marketed as part of the EDVAP (Engineering Dynamics Vehicle Analysis Package) suite. EDVAP remained the industry standard for more than a decade.
In 1991, after recognizing that 3-dimensional vehicle and occupant simulation was not yet practical, EDC began work on the HVE 3-D simulation environment. The release of HVE, in 1995, once again revolutionized the vehicle safety industry by introducing a sophisticated software tool that could be used by both the vehicle design engineer and the safety researcher.
In 1991, after recognizing that 3-dimensional vehicle and occupant simulation was not yet practical, EDC began work on the HVE 3-D simulation environment. The release of HVE, in 1995, once again revolutionized the vehicle safety industry by introducing a sophisticated software tool that could be used by both the vehicle design engineer and the safety researcher.
In 2000, EDC introduced two new simulation models built from the ground up employing EDC's latest advances in software and simulation technology: SIMON, which uses a new general purpose 3-D vehicle dynamics engine; and DyMESH a patented non-linear 3-D collision model.
In 2020, longtime user and supporter of HVE, Anthony D. Cornetto, III, formed Engineering Dynamics Company, LLC to handle the ongoing development, distribution, and support of HVE, thus beginning the next chapter in the EDC story.