I enjoyed "Auto Evolution" in the Wheels section (Feb. 18), but I would like to point out one error. The article credited Nils Bohlin of Sweden as the inventor of the modern three-point safety belt. It was actually invented and patented by the late Roger W. Griswold of Old Lyme and Hugh DeHaven in the United States in 1951. It was the same belt system in use today, a combination lap and shoulder harness designed as a single strap. Volvo bought the patent and was the first to apply the technology to automobiles. Although they generously offered the belts to other Swedish car companies (Saab), U.S. car manufactures refused to pay for the innovation and used workarounds until the patent expired.

Remember the automatic electric harness that would ride up a track on the door jam. Using research from Griswold and DeHaven, Volvo was awarded a patent for a "fitting application for a three-point belt" but not for the belt itself. Volvo offered the new belts as standard equipment in 1959. This gave rise to the widely held but incorrect impression that the three-point safety belt is a Swedish innovation. As a former employee of Mr. Griswold, I want to set the record straight.

Gregory Symonds

Old Lyme