エアバッグは１９６３年に小堀保三郎さんが発明したもの。
記録を読みましたが小堀さんの先を見通す力とそれに向ける情熱にカラダが震えました。
６３歳からエアバッグ＝「衝突時乗員保護のシステム」の研究に取り組み世界１４ヶ国でエアバッグ関連の特許を取ったものの、どこの自動車メーカーからも相手をされず、特許による収入がなかったといいます。
１９７５年８月３０日、生活苦で妻の艶子さんとともにガス心中。享年７６才でした。
実用化は特許が切れて間もなくの１９８０年にメルセデス・ベンツがSクラスで実用化したそうです。

そして、現在普及しているエアバッグと小堀さんの発明した「衝突時乗員保護のシステム」と同じ構成。

まさに先を行き過ぎたと言われる偉人の一人ですね。

私は小堀さんから学んだことを経営に活かし、そして今まで以上に安全運転を心がけていきます。

写真出典／日本自動車殿堂 JAHFA

特定非営利活動法人 日本自動車殿堂
http://www.jahfa.jp/jahfa6/pala/person5-1.htm

早すぎた特許、エアバッグを発明した日本人の悲劇 – NAVER まとめ
http://matome.naver.jp/odai/2141756457198945401

The airbag was invented by Yasusaburo Kobori in 1963.
When I read the record, I was shaken by Mr. Kobori’s ability to see beyond and his passion for doing so.
Since the age of 63, he has been researching airbags, or “systems to protect passengers in the event of a collision,” and has obtained patents for airbags in 14 countries around the world, but he says that no automobile manufacturer has been able to compete with him, and he has had no income from his patents.
On August 30, 1975, he and his wife, Tsuyako, were gashed in a suicide. He passed away at the age of 76.
In 1980, shortly after the patent expired, Mercedes-Benz put it to practical use in the S-Class.

And it has the same configuration as the airbags that are now in widespread use and the “collision protection system” invented by Mr. Kobori.

He is one of the great men who is said to be too far ahead of his time.

I would like to apply what I have learned from Mr. Kobori to my business management and try to drive more safely than ever before.

Photo Credit: JAHFA (Japan Automobile Hall of Fame)

Japan Automobile Hall of Fame
http://www.jahfa.jp/jahfa6/pala/person5-1.htm

The tragedy of the Japanese who invented the airbag too early – NAVER Summary
http://matome.naver.jp/odai/2141756457198945401