The Rise and Fall of Automatic Seat Belts: A Forgotten Safety Innovation

🚗Automatic seat belts were first proposed by neurosurgeon Dr. C Hunter Sheldon in 1946 as a solution to head injuries from motor collisions.

⏰The first automatic seat belts were lap belts introduced by Saab in 1958, while the modern three-point belts were patented by Roger W. Griswold and Hugh DeHaven in 1955.

🔒Volvo was the first to incorporate the three-point seat belt as a standard feature in their cars in 1959, followed by other manufacturers with the help of Volvo's patent.

🌍Victoria, Australia was the first to pass a law mandating seat belt use in 1970, followed by the United States in the 1980s.

🔌The decline of automatic seat belts can be attributed to the introduction of dual airbags in the 1990s and the mechanical failures associated with the power belts.

Who invented the automatic seat belt?

—The idea of automatic seat belts was proposed by neurosurgeon Dr. C Hunter Sheldon in 1946.

When did Volvo introduce the three-point seat belt?

—Volvo incorporated the three-point seat belt as a standard feature in their cars in 1959.

Which country was the first to pass a law mandating seat belt use?

—Victoria, Australia was the first to pass a law requiring seat belt use in 1970.

What led to the decline of automatic seat belts?

—The decline of automatic seat belts can be attributed to the introduction of dual airbags and the mechanical failures associated with the power belts.

Are automatic seat belts still used in cars today?

—No, automatic seat belts are no longer used in cars today due to their decline and the advancements in other safety technologies.

00:00Automatic seat belts were once considered a life-saving device.

00:39Dr. C Hunter Sheldon proposed the idea of retractable seat belts in 1946.

01:35Volvo was the first company to make the three-point seat belt a standard feature in their cars in 1959.

03:29Victoria, Australia was the first to pass a law mandating seat belt use in 1970.

05:50The decline of automatic seat belts can be attributed to the introduction of dual airbags and mechanical failures.