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First Production Model of Seat Belt Retractor

Specifications

First Production Model of Seat Belt Retractor

Category

Transportation

Classification

CHENHALL - Distribution & Transportation Objects - Land Transportation T&E - Land Transportation Accessories - Component, Vehicle

Object Origin
Creator:

Beller, Herbert R.

Date Manufactured:

c. 1968

Physical Characteristics

Object Description: Black canvas seat belt wound onto a black and bronze-colored metal retractor device. Mounted onto one side of the device is a gear, wheel, spring, and weight mechanism. Mounted onto the opposite side is a black metal cap embossed with text.

Materials:

metal

canvas

Marks: "CAUTION / DO NOT / REMOVE"

Measurements: Object:
    Height: 3.75 in, Width: 3.5 in, Depth: 2.625 in
    Weight: 1.4 lbs

Credit

Gift of Herbert R. Beller, 2013.32.2

Display Status

Not On View

First Production Model of Seat Belt Retractor

About: First Production Model of Seat Belt Retractor

About: First Production Model of Seat Belt Retractor

This first production model of the locking seat belt retractor was invented by Herbert Beller. He came up with the idea while he was working as a coordinating manager at Jim Robbins Seat Belt Company (now defunct). The mechanism for the retractable shoulder seat belt would give passengers mobility, yet lock in place during high acceleration or deacceleration.


Despite saving countless lives with his invention since the mid-1970s, the company he worked for asked him to sign the patent for the seat belt in 1973. Had he not signed the patent and claimed sole ownership of the invention, he would have made billions by some estimations. Nevertheless, in many interviews, Beller himself claimed how proud he was that his invention saved the lives of so many people.

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