Categories: Uncategorized

July 17, 1920 – Birth of Nils Bolin, seatbelt inventor

On this day in 1920 the man who would forever ensure your automotive safety was born. Nils Bolin invented the three point seat belt for Vovlo, receiving a patent for the device on July 10, 1962 (read about it in the post from that day!). Bolin’s life was largely dedicated to improving safety within numerous forms of transportation. Born in Härnösand, Sweden, Bolin studied mechanical engineering at Härnösand Läroverk, graduating in 1939. In 1942 he began working for the aircraft maker Saab as an aircraft designer. During his time there he helped develop ejection seats. In 1958 he joined Volvo as a safety engineer. He is credited with the invention of the modern 3-point safety belt, now a standard safety feature in all cars. Aside from inventing the modern seat belt, Bolin also conducted a study demonstrating its effectiveness. Bolin looked at 28,000 accidents in Sweden and presented a paper on his findings at the 11th Stapp Car Crash Convention. It showed that unbelted occupants sustained fatal injuries throughout the whole speed scale, while no belted occupants were fatally injured in accidents that occurred below 60 mph. He also found that no belted occupant was fatally injured if the passenger compartment remained intact, regardless of speed. This study led the US DOT to require safety belts in passenger cars. Nils Bohlin, a member of the Automotive Hall of Fame, died on September 26, 2002 at the age of 82, from a heart attack. He is buried at Torpa Church in Ramfall, Sweden.

Brian Corey

Recent Posts

October 31, 1957 – The Chevrolet Impala is announced

After debuting an Impala show car at the 1956 GM Motorama, Chevrolet used the name…

4 days ago

October 30, 1911 – Little Motor Car Company is founded, later becomes part of Chevrolet

The Little Motor Car Company, founded on October 30, 1911, in Flint, Michigan, is a…

4 days ago

October 29, 1932 – Safarikar builder Bruce Mohs is born

Bruce Mohs with his Opera Sedan following its restoration. (autobild.de) Perhaps you've heard of the…

6 days ago

October 28, 1977 – Tokyo Motor Show opens

First generation Daihatsu Charade. By Charles01 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 The annual Tokyo…

1 week ago

October 27, 1937 – Second generation Cadillac V-16 is introduced

1940 Cadillac V16 90 Town Car To build the ultimate automobile, Cadillac began development of…

1 week ago

October 26, 1966 – Toyota introduces what will become the best selling car ever, the Toyota Corolla

1966 Toyota Corolla debut (Toyota) The Toyota Corolla, one of the most iconic and enduring…

1 week ago