The Smithsonian accepted two GM crash dummies in donations. Vince and Larry were the names of these dummies which were in 1980s commercials and clothing for them were donated as well. An auto safety exhibit is to be displayed.
The dummies, Vince and Larry
The crash dummies costumes for “Vince” and “Larry” were donated with the whole donation. The Leo Burnett Agency used them in the 1980s to help individuals want to use seat belts. Vulgar commercials with blood and guts at the time was the norm; nevertheless, Vince and Larry took the approach of humor instead. Vince and Larry became icons and now could be preserved in a museum.
Auto safety exhibit donations
The Smithsonian plans to show many developments that happened for car safety. The 1961 3 point safety belt that was the first made was donated. Also donated by Chevrolet was the first collapsible steering column that was made in 1967. General Motors added donations of its Hybrid III and 50H-1 crash test dummies, which have been used as lately as six months ago. The American Automobile Association became a part of this as well by donating 1930s training manuals including “wartime” and “sportsmanlike” manuals.
Car safety and how it changed
Though there are developments in auto safety since the first horse-drawn carriage, the issue didn’t come to the public eye until the 1960s. Lap and shoulder belts in cars became mandatory in that decade, and it took quite a bit of public relations work to win acceptance for their use. Drivers didn’t want to be “stuck” in a car because of their seatbelt. In the 1970s, drivers were more concerned about how it made them look needing security features in their car.
See a classic crash test PSA
youtube.com/watch?v=ziBcZejPPlY
