Lifeguard (Automobile safety)
Encyclopedia
Automobile safety
Automobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of automobile accidents. Automobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of...
package marketed by the Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
.
Spurred by Robert McNamara
Robert McNamara
Robert Strange McNamara was an American business executive and the eighth Secretary of Defense, serving under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson from 1961 to 1968, during which time he played a large role in escalating the United States involvement in the Vietnam War...
, the Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
crash research program and the first year of Ford's own crash testing
Crash test
A crash test is a form of destructive testing usually performed in order to ensure safe design standards in crashworthiness and crash compatibility for various modes of transportation or related systems and components.- Types :...
(1955) the Lifeguard package included:
- Two standard features:
- A safety "deep-center" steering wheelSteering wheelA steering wheel is a type of steering control in vehicles and vessels ....
with spokes that would flex. - Safety "double-grip" door latches to prevent occupant ejection in case of a crash.
- A safety "deep-center" steering wheel
- Three optional features:
- Front and rear lap only seat beltsSeat beltA seat belt or seatbelt, sometimes called a safety belt, is a safety harness designed to secure the occupant of a vehicle against harmful movement that may result from a collision or a sudden stop...
(first offered by Ford in 1955). - Padded dashboardDashboardA dashboard is a control panel placed in front of the driver of an automobile, housing instrumentation and controls for operation of the vehicle....
and sun visors. The instruments were recessed to minimize injury potential. - Safety rearview mirror to reduce broken glass if shattered.
- Front and rear lap only seat belts
The buying public was unresponsive to the Lifeguard package, prompting Henry Ford II
Henry Ford II
Henry Ford II , commonly known as "HF2" and "Hank the Deuce", was the son of Edsel Ford and grandson of Henry Ford...
to say: McNamara is selling safety, but Chevrolet is selling cars