| Lawrence Patrick | |
|---|---|
 Lawrence Patrick | |
| Born | c.1920 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | April 30, 2006 Hendersonville, North Carolina |
| Alma mater | Wayne State University; |
| Occupation(s) | Researcher, Educator |
| Known for | Early pioneer in impact biomechanics, Automotive safety design improvements, Invention of the air bag |
| Spouse | Bess Patrick |
Lawrence Patrick (1920 – April 30, 2006) may well be considered one of the fathers of the crash test dummy. Between 1960 and 1975, while a biomechanics professor at Detroit's Wayne State University, Patrick described his work by saying "I was a human crash-test dummy". Patrick allowed himself to be subject to over 400 rocket sled rides, crushing blows to the head and body, and other forms of physical abuse in an effort to develop a body of data on how the human body responded in a vehicle accident. One of his students, Harold Mertz, went on to develop Hybrid III, the current worldwide standard crash test dummy. Lawrence also subjected himself to a 50 pound pendulum to the breast plate to test the effects of a steering column on a human. Lawrence died of Parkinson's disease on April 30, 2006, at the age of 85.
References
- "Larry Patrick, pioneer auto safety researcher: 1920 - 2006". Archived from the original on 2017-12-15. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
- Mary Roach (November 19, 1999), I was a human crash-test dummy Archived 2006-03-11 at the Wayback Machine. Salon.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-29.
- "The world's hardest scientists". The Guardian. 12 November 2010. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
- Lawrence M. Patrick, 85 | BlueRidgeNow.com | Times-News Online | Hendersonville, NC
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