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When was the seat belt invented?
My dad was in the car with me the other day and somehow forgot to put his seat belt on until my Lexus started beeping at him to buckle up. He started muttering about how seat belts weren’t even an invention when he was a kid, which got me wondering—when was the seat belt invented?
Shannon Fitzgerald · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
The modern three-point seat belt was invented in 1959.
Here’s a brief history of what led to the modern seat belt:
- Mid-1800s: George Cayley invents lap belts for use in his glider aircraft
- 1885: Edward J. Claghorn patents harness-like seat belts for use in NYC taxis
- 1922: Barney Oldfield commissions a seat belt harness to be designed for use in his Indy 500 race car
- 1959: Nils Bohlin designs the vehicular three-point seat belt as we know it today
Of course, just because seat belts were invented didn’t mean cars had to have them. It wasn’t until 1968 that federal law required vehicle manufacturers to install seat belts in vehicles, and it wasn’t until 1984 that states (beginning with New York) started requiring passengers to wear them.
It’s possible that vehicles didn’t have seat belts when your dad was a kid, but it’s also possible he just didn’t legally have to wear them. Luckily, safety is much more of a priority in vehicles today. While seat belts help protect you and your passengers against physical damages, quality
car insurance
helps protect you and your vehicle against financial damage. By downloading
Jerry
, you can easily lower your Lexus insurance costs
without cutting important coverages, too! A trustworthy car insurance comparison app
, Jerry instantly finds the most affordable rates available to you from over 55 top insurers. The average user ends up saving over $800 a year on car insurance, so it’s definitely worth a look to keep you, your dad, and your Lexus protected for less!View full answer
- Gregory R.
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