When Were Seatbelts Invented?

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Ever sat in your car, buckled in, and thought, “Huh, who came up with this thing?”

Probably not. Most of us don’t. But once you start digging into it, the history of the seatbelt is actually kinda wild. It didn’t start with cars, wasn’t always popular, and took way longer than it should’ve to catch on.

Let me take you back…

The First Seatbelt Wasn’t Even for Cars

Believe it or not, the very first seatbelt dates back to 1885. But nope, it wasn’t for drivers or passengers—it was made for tourists. Seriously. A guy named Edward J. Claghorn patented a belt to keep people from falling out of horse-drawn carriages and early taxis.

It was more of a “safety strap” than a modern seatbelt, but still—early attempts to keep people from flying out of vehicles were already in motion (pun intended).

Then airplanes came along, and seatbelts started showing up in cockpits to keep pilots from getting tossed during turbulence. Makes sense, right?

Cars Were Late to the Seatbelt Party

Now, cars didn’t get in on the seatbelt game until the 1950s, and even then… people weren’t exactly fans. The idea of strapping yourself in? Some folks thought it was dangerous. Others thought it was just plain uncomfortable. Many believed they’d be “trapped” in a crash.

Crazy, right?

That all started to change thanks to a Swedish engineer named Nils Bohlin. In 1959, while working for Volvo, he designed the three-point seatbelt—the one we all use today. It crossed over the chest and lap, and it was actually comfortable.

Volvo could’ve patented it and kept it exclusive. But they didn’t. They opened it up to everyone—for free—because it was saving lives. Respect.

Quick Timeline of Seatbelt Progress

• 1885: First seatbelt patent (not for cars)
• 1950s: Lap belts show up in cars
• 1959: Three-point seatbelt invented by Nils Bohlin
• 1968: U.S. requires seatbelts in all new cars
• 1984: First state seatbelt law (New York)
• 1995: All U.S. states (except NH) have seatbelt laws

People Fought It—Then It Became Common Sense

At first, folks hated them. They cut across your shirt. They wrinkled your clothes. Some even believed you had a better chance of “being thrown clear” in a crash. (Spoiler: that’s... not true.)

But over time, the numbers didn’t lie.

According to NHTSA, seatbelts cut the risk of death in a front-seat crash by 45%. That’s not a small number. That’s you walking away instead of being thrown through the windshield.

Eventually, laws rolled out. Cars came standard with seatbelts. And what started as an optional add-on turned into a must-have, life-saving staple.

Why This Still Matters (Even for Short Trips)

I get it, sometimes you’re just “running down the street real quick” and the seatbelt feels like overkill. But most accidents actually happen close to home.

That little strap? It's not just about checking a legal box. It’s about making sure you get to go home, hug your people, and live to drive another day.

It’s simple. It’s cheap. And it works.

Final Thoughts: So, When Were Seatbelts Invented?

Technically? 1885. But the seatbelt we actually use, the one that saves thousands of lives every year, showed up in 1959 thanks to a dude in Sweden and a car company that cared more about safety than profits.

It took decades, a few brilliant minds, and more than a little resistance from the public. But the seatbelt stuck. And thank God it did.

One Last Thing…

If your seatbelt is broken, jammed, or needs professional repair—don’t wait. At L&D Solutions, we specialize in OEM-quality seatbelt repairs, retractor fixes, and webbing replacement that keeps you safe and compliant.

📩 Ready to get your seatbelt fixed? Contact L&D Solutions today!