Ford Motor Company's Tot-Guard Car Seat, 1973

THF140492 / Ford Motor Company's Tot-Guard Car Seat, 1973
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Artifact Overview

American car manufacturers developed child restraints designed for crash protection in the late 1960s. One of the first was Ford's Tot-Guard, seen in this photograph. The seatbelt secured the padded shield and seat. This early and effective restraint was not widely used, however. Only with more stringent regulations, public education, and mandated use would children safely ride in automobiles.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Date Made

1973

Subject Date

1973

Creator Notes

Photographed for Ford Motor Company Public Relations.

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2011.10.1

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 8 in
Width: 10 in

Inscriptions

Typed on sheet adhered to back of image: IMMEDIATE RELEASE / GIVE YOUR CHILD A SAFER RIDE: Ford's Tot-Guard is designed to give your / child essential protection while riding in an automobile. The Tot-Guard is secured by the / conventional lap belt which is standard equipment in almost every automobile. Tot-Guard / surrounds a child's body and thighs and consists of three components: a five-and-a-half / pound hollow-molded polyethylene shield, a three-inch high polyethylene seat, and a / removable foam pad for the inside of the shield. Tot-Guard provides greater safety for the child in the event of an impact by vastly improved load distribution over the surface / of his body. Ford / Public Relations / Ford Parts Division / ... Livonia, Michigan ... / 10-11-1973 Handwritten in pencil on back lower right corner: 1974 Ford
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