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Prototype Seat Belt Retractor
Specifications
Prototype 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 Created:
c. 1968
Physical Characteristics
Object Description: Black canvas seat belt wound onto a light-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 white plastic cap. On the cap is a black label with white text.
Marks: "CAUTION / DO NOT / REMOVE"
Measurements: Object:
Height: 4.5 in, Width: 3.75 in, Depth: 3 in
Weight: 1.8 lbs
Credit
Gift of Herbert R. Beller, 2013.32.1
Display Status
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Prototype Seat Belt Retractor
About: Prototype Seat Belt Retractor
About: Prototype Seat Belt Retractor
Herbert Beller is an unsung hero with his invention of the shoulder retractable seat belt. This is the prototype for the retractable seat belt. The mechanism would give passengers mobility, yet lock the belt in place during high acceleration or de-acceleration. When he signed over the patent for his invention in 1973, he could not claim ownership which could have made him millions of dollars. Despite the lack of recognition, however, Beller's invention has prevented injury and death for untold numbers of people worldwide since its first use in the mid-1970s.
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