Gone in 90 seconds: The evolution of the airplane evacuation slide

In the case of an emergency on the ground, inflatable slides deploy from the doors and wing exits of planes, giving passengers a quick way to escape from an aircraft. We take a look back at how this important technology evolved.

(CNN) — "Arm doors and cross check."

Almost all airline passengers have heard that instruction given by a flight attendant over the PA system, just before the plane leaves the terminal gate.

For most travelers, it's part of the pre-flight ritual that often fades into the background, much like the safety briefing.