Shock absorbers have been around since the early 1900s. Over the years they have functioned in several different forms. One of the earliest shock absorbers used a simple two-arm and friction disc setup. The latest shock absorbers use hydraulic pistons.
Shock absorber mounting positions
Some vehicles use branches to control the front wheels, while the shock absorber controls the rear wheels. Therefore, your vehicle may have shock absorbers and struts at the same time.