Seat Belt

Hello there. Do you hear that sound? Click. That’s me. I’m a seat belt, and that click is the sound of a safe adventure beginning. I live in your car, waiting to give you a super-strong, super-safe hug every time you go for a ride. My job is very important. I keep you snug in your seat, like a cozy blanket that holds you tight. If the car has to stop super fast, I make sure you stay put and don't get bumped around. It’s the most important hug in the world. Long, long ago, before I was around, car rides could be a little bit wobbly and not as safe. People wished for a way to be more secure on their journeys, and that’s when my story really began. I was an idea waiting to happen, a hug waiting to be invented.

My story didn't start in a car. A very long time ago, even before cars were common, a man named Sir George Cayley thought about straps to keep pilots safe in his gliders. It was a good start, but I wasn't quite the hug you know today. My real big moment came much later, in the year 1959. A very kind and clever engineer named Nils Bohlin worked for a car company called Volvo. He looked at the seat belts they had back then, which were just a simple strap across the lap. He thought to himself, “This isn't enough. If a car stops suddenly, a lap strap can't hold a person's upper body safely.” He knew he could make a better, safer hug. He sketched and tested and thought very hard. Finally, he designed me to be a 'three-point' belt. It’s a fancy name, but it just means I connect to the car in three spots to give the best hug. One part of me goes across your lap, and the other part goes across your chest, from your shoulder down to your hip. Together, my two straps make a special 'V' shape that holds you perfectly snug and secure if the car ever needs to stop in a hurry. I was so proud of my new shape.

Now, here comes the best part of my story, the part that makes me feel all warm and shiny. My inventor, Nils, and his company, Volvo, knew how important I was. They realized I could save so many people from getting hurt, not just in their cars, but in all cars. So, they made a wonderful decision. On August 13th, 1959, they announced that they were giving my special three-point design away as a gift to the whole world. They didn’t keep me a secret. They shared the instructions on how to make me with every single car maker, and they didn’t ask for any money. They just wanted everyone, everywhere, to be safe. Because of their kindness, I could start my job of protecting families in any kind of car they drove. It was the greatest gift of safety anyone could give.

Today, I am your best buddy on every single trip. You can find me in almost every car, truck, and bus all over the world. That little click you hear when you buckle up is my happy sound. It says, “You’re safe. Let the adventure begin.” I love being a part of your daily journeys. Whether you are going to school, heading to the park for a fun day, or taking a long trip to visit your grandma, I am right there with you. My biggest wish is to keep you safe and sound so you can enjoy every ride, every time.