1962 introduction of the seatbelt

When Volvo invented the three-point seat belt in 1959, they made the patent free for all competitors to use in order to save lives because it had more value as a free life-saving tool than something to profit from.

People in the '80s react to new laws against drinking and driving

The step, bump, step, bump bump should be a real official sobriety test

The modern three-point safety belt was perfected by Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin in 1959 – and its patent given for free to the world. This is something everyone must know about Volvo though.

Drivers the next day:

Ford offered seat belts as an option in 1955. These were not popular, with only 2% of Ford buyers choosing to pay for seat belts in 1956. To reduce the high level of injuries Shelden was seeing, he proposed, in late 1955, retractable seat belts, recessed steering wheels, reinforced roofs, roll bars, automatic door locks, and passive restraints such as air bags. Subsequently, in 1966, Congress passed the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, requiring all automobiles to comply with certain safety standards.

This is what cartoons thought cars would become.

Car safety tests in the 1930s

The art of nature ...

"in fact, I actually feel better than before"