While Volvo didn't invent the first car safety belt, they invented the 3 point safety belt that everybody uses today. Lap belts would help keep you in the car,

While Volvo didn't invent the first car safety belt, they invented the 3 point safety belt that everybody uses today. Lap belts would help keep you in the car, but the addition of a sash belt kept your face off the 50's era steel dash, and made seatbelts worth using. Volvo patented it in the 50's and made it freely available for use.