Milwaukee Art Museum Exhibits 1964 Volvo with Historic Seatbelt in Scandinavian Design Show
The Milwaukee Art Museum has installed a 1964 Volvo P122S in its exhibition 'Scandinavian Design and the United States, 1890–1980,' which opened in 2023. The vehicle, designed by Jan Wilsgaard and featuring the pioneering three-point seatbelt invented by Nils Bohlin, represents industrial design and cultural exchange between Scandinavia and America. Museum staff coordinated the car's delivery from Los Angeles, navigating it through the building's entrance and galleries with assistance from DriveShop operators. The exhibition, co-curated by Monica Obniski, includes over 180 objects and runs through July 23, highlighting transnational design influences.
Key facts
- A 1964 Volvo P122S is displayed at the Milwaukee Art Museum as part of the 'Scandinavian Design and the United States, 1890–1980' exhibition.
- The car features the first three-point seatbelt, designed by Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin, introduced in Sweden in 1959 and the U.S. in 1963.
- Exhibition planning began in 2019, with delivery occurring in 2023 after pandemic delays, involving coordination with Volvo Car USA and DriveShop for logistics.
Entities
Artists
- Jan Wilsgaard
- Nils Bohlin
Institutions
- Milwaukee Art Museum
- Volvo Car USA
- DriveShop
Locations
- Milwaukee, United States
- Sweden
- Los Angeles, United States
- New York, United States