Blink Of An Eye

Did you know that airplanes played a crucial role in the development of the seat belts we use today? The introduction of seat belts has revolutionized car safety, and one pivotal innovation stands out: Nils Bohlin's invention of the three-point belt. This remarkable breakthrough has saved countless lives on the road. In this episode, we delve into the remarkable history behind the seat belt. So, get ready to buckle up as we embark on this journey.

Let's take a trip back in time, a century ago. City streets belonged to pedestrians; they roamed freely, going wherever and whenever they pleased. However, as cars increased in the 1920s, accidents and fatalities became more prevalent. Together with historians, road experts and professors, Thomas Henley takes a closer look at a time when our roads were death traps, what role gender has played in car safety and the effectiveness of safety campaigns in adverts.

In 1952, engineer John Hetrick was involved in a car accident with his family. After the accident, Hetrick had a groundbreaking idea to develop a solution to protect against impact with the dashboard. The result was an airbag. However, car manufacturers initially showed little interest in the concept. So, when and how did the airbag eventually blow up? Join Thomas Henley as he unravels the fascinating story in this episode.

Thanks to safety innovations like seat belts and airbags that we have discussed in previous episodes, many lives have been saved on the roads. However, numerous fatalities are still occurring, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Unsafe roads pose significant economic, social, and health costs, which is where the UN Road Safety Fund comes into play. In the final episode of 'Blink of an Eye', Thomas Henley examines the initiatives underway to halve the number of road fatalities by 2030 and explores the future of car safety.

Join us on a trip to Vårgårda, a small village in southwestern Sweden. Here, 70 years ago, the brothers Lennart and Stig Lindblad founded Autoliv and put the town on the map as a pioneer in vehicle safety. Today, still in the same village, we discover Autoliv’s test center and Hans Lindblad, Stig’s son, who humbly guides us alongside podcast host Thomas Henley through his father’s remarkable legacy. Discover the untold stories and immerse yourself in Autoliv’s impact on this community and the world of car safety.