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- "Buckling Up" Clip from Interview with Jeanine Head Miller, 2011 - Seat belts are the single most important safety device in an automobile. Nevertheless, drivers were slow to use them. State laws, public education campaigns, and short-lived ignition interlocks -- which prevented a car from starting unless seat belts were fastened -- all promoted seat belt use. By the 1990s, buckling up was a habit for American motorists.
- 2011
- Collections - Artifact
"Buckling Up" Clip from Interview with Jeanine Head Miller, 2011
Seat belts are the single most important safety device in an automobile. Nevertheless, drivers were slow to use them. State laws, public education campaigns, and short-lived ignition interlocks -- which prevented a car from starting unless seat belts were fastened -- all promoted seat belt use. By the 1990s, buckling up was a habit for American motorists.
- 1975 Ford Advertisement for Using Seat Belts, "The Better Idea We Didn't Invent" - Ford offered factory-installed seat belts as optional equipment in some models in 1955. But people did not have to use them -- and most would not. By 1975, the time of this ad, seat belts were required equipment. And beginning in the 1980s, most states would pass laws enforcing passenger use of seat belts.
- June 27, 1975
- Collections - Artifact
1975 Ford Advertisement for Using Seat Belts, "The Better Idea We Didn't Invent"
Ford offered factory-installed seat belts as optional equipment in some models in 1955. But people did not have to use them -- and most would not. By 1975, the time of this ad, seat belts were required equipment. And beginning in the 1980s, most states would pass laws enforcing passenger use of seat belts.
- Woman Modeling Automobile Seat Belt, 1952 - In the early 1950s, crash testing proved that seat belts could prevent injury or death during automobile accidents. This woman models appropriate safety belt use. The research was sound, but it did not persuade many Americans. Even after seat belts became standard equipment in automobiles in the mid-1960s, most drivers and passengers refused to use them.
- December 08, 1952
- Collections - Artifact
Woman Modeling Automobile Seat Belt, 1952
In the early 1950s, crash testing proved that seat belts could prevent injury or death during automobile accidents. This woman models appropriate safety belt use. The research was sound, but it did not persuade many Americans. Even after seat belts became standard equipment in automobiles in the mid-1960s, most drivers and passengers refused to use them.
- Racing Harness, 1955-1960 - Driver safety improved dramatically over the more than 30 years that Bobby Unser raced. One of the most important precautions was simply to secure the race driver to the car with a safety harness. Racing safety belts evolved from simple straps to elaborate five-point harnesses. Unser used this harness, which he adapted from aircraft equipment, early in his career.
- 1955-1960
- Collections - Artifact
Racing Harness, 1955-1960
Driver safety improved dramatically over the more than 30 years that Bobby Unser raced. One of the most important precautions was simply to secure the race driver to the car with a safety harness. Racing safety belts evolved from simple straps to elaborate five-point harnesses. Unser used this harness, which he adapted from aircraft equipment, early in his career.
- Racing Harness, 1950-1960 - Driver safety improved dramatically over the more than 30 years that Bobby Unser raced. One of the most important precautions was simply to secure the race driver to the car with a safety harness. Racing safety belts evolved from simple straps to elaborate five-point harnesses. Unser used this harness, which he adapted from aircraft equipment, early in his career.
- 1950-1960
- Collections - Artifact
Racing Harness, 1950-1960
Driver safety improved dramatically over the more than 30 years that Bobby Unser raced. One of the most important precautions was simply to secure the race driver to the car with a safety harness. Racing safety belts evolved from simple straps to elaborate five-point harnesses. Unser used this harness, which he adapted from aircraft equipment, early in his career.
- Racing Harness, 1950-1960 - Driver safety improved dramatically over the more than 30 years that Bobby Unser raced. One of the most important precautions was simply to secure the race driver to the car with a safety harness. Racing safety belts evolved from simple straps to elaborate five-point harnesses. Unser used this harness, which he adapted from aircraft equipment, early in his career.
- 1950-1960
- Collections - Artifact
Racing Harness, 1950-1960
Driver safety improved dramatically over the more than 30 years that Bobby Unser raced. One of the most important precautions was simply to secure the race driver to the car with a safety harness. Racing safety belts evolved from simple straps to elaborate five-point harnesses. Unser used this harness, which he adapted from aircraft equipment, early in his career.
- Racing Harness, 1950-1960 - Driver safety improved dramatically over the more than 30 years that Bobby Unser raced. One of the most important precautions was simply to secure the race driver to the car with a safety harness. Racing safety belts evolved from simple straps to elaborate five-point harnesses. Unser used this harness, which he adapted from aircraft equipment, early in his career.
- 1950-1960
- Collections - Artifact
Racing Harness, 1950-1960
Driver safety improved dramatically over the more than 30 years that Bobby Unser raced. One of the most important precautions was simply to secure the race driver to the car with a safety harness. Racing safety belts evolved from simple straps to elaborate five-point harnesses. Unser used this harness, which he adapted from aircraft equipment, early in his career.
- Jane Russell Demonstrating Use of Car Safety Belts, 1953 - In the early 1950s, crash testing proved that seat belt use could prevent injury or death during automobile accidents. Indiana State Police officers used this photograph of actress Jane Russell in a presentation to persuade drivers and passengers to use safety belts. But Americans were stubborn. Even after seat belts became standard equipment in automobiles in the mid-1960s, most Americans refused to use them.
- December 01, 1953
- Collections - Artifact
Jane Russell Demonstrating Use of Car Safety Belts, 1953
In the early 1950s, crash testing proved that seat belt use could prevent injury or death during automobile accidents. Indiana State Police officers used this photograph of actress Jane Russell in a presentation to persuade drivers and passengers to use safety belts. But Americans were stubborn. Even after seat belts became standard equipment in automobiles in the mid-1960s, most Americans refused to use them.
- Automobile Seat Belt, 1964 - Until the mid-1960s seat belts were not standard equipment in American cars. Owners could purchase aftermarket safety belts like this one and have them installed. Continued education and growing acceptance for car occupants' safety have led most states to adopt seat belt laws.
- 1964
- Collections - Artifact
Automobile Seat Belt, 1964
Until the mid-1960s seat belts were not standard equipment in American cars. Owners could purchase aftermarket safety belts like this one and have them installed. Continued education and growing acceptance for car occupants' safety have led most states to adopt seat belt laws.
- Racing Harness, circa 1980 - Bobby Unser personally made many of the safety harnesses he used early in his racing career, often adapting them from aircraft and parachute belts. Unser designed this strap to keep a driver's head from moving too much during turns. The looped end slipped over the shoulder while the hook was fastened to the helmet.
- circa 1980
- Collections - Artifact
Racing Harness, circa 1980
Bobby Unser personally made many of the safety harnesses he used early in his racing career, often adapting them from aircraft and parachute belts. Unser designed this strap to keep a driver's head from moving too much during turns. The looped end slipped over the shoulder while the hook was fastened to the helmet.