Hubbard’s initial prototype was developed in 1985, and crash tests in 1989 demonstrated an 80% reduction in energy exerted on the head and neck during a simulated crash. These tests showed the HANS device reduced vertical neck tension from 740 lbs to 210 lbs, and neck compression by approximately 28 millimetres. Despite these results, major racing safety companies declined to produce the device.
In 1990, Hubbard and Downing formed Hubbard Downing Inc. to manufacture and promote the HANS device. Interest from Formula One arose in 1994 following the deaths of Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna. In 1999, CART driver Gonzalo Rodríguez died from a basilar skull fracture, and Mercedes completed research on the HANS device on behalf of the FIA, concluding it outperformed an airbag project.
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) first adopted the HANS device in 1996 after the death of Top Fuel driver Blaine Johnson, making its use mandatory in 2004 following the death of 2003 Top Fuel Rookie of the Year Darrell Russell. Many drivers initially resisted the device, citing discomfort and fears of increased injury. Dale Earnhardt reportedly referred to the device as “that damn noose”.
Following Earnhardt’s death in the 2001 Daytona 500 – the fourth NASCAR driver to die from a basilar skull fracture in eight months – media attention focused on the HANS device. Hubbard stated he received approximately 80 phone calls the day after Earnhardt’s death and appeared on national television ten times. Despite this, immediate changes to NASCAR’s safety regulations were not made.
In October 2001, Blaise Alexander was killed in an ARCA race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This led NASCAR to mandate the use of either the HANS or Hutchens device on October 17, 2001, switching to the HANS device exclusively in 2005. Formula One mandated HANS devices in 2003, and CART made them compulsory for oval tracks in 2001, extending the requirement to all circuits the following year.
The addition of quick-release shackles, sourced from marine industry sailboat rigging, by Ashley Tilling improved driver acceptance. NASCAR driver Scott Pruett of PPI Motorsports was the first to utilize them. Today, most major auto racing sanctioning bodies mandate the use of head and neck restraints, with the FIA making HANS device use compulsory for all International-level events from 2009. The device has received recognition, including the Editors' Choice award from Grassroots Motorsports in 2002 and the pioneering and innovation award from Autosport magazine in 2007. In 2016, Hubbard, Downing, and FIA’s Hubert Gramling were awarded the SAE International Award for Motorsport Safety Honoring John Melvin.