Roy Richter
Roy Richter was the founder of Bell Helmets in California in 1954 and he also founded Cragar Industries.[1][2][3]He began his life after graduating high school by going to work at Bell Auto Parts store in California in the suburb of Los Angeles called Bell. At this time he takes a interest in auto racing in 1933. For a small time he is a professional auto racer. But comes to realize his talents are more of building race cars and racing products than racing them. His cars in numerous racing divisions win hundreds of races setting many track records and take many victorious championships. In 1945 he sells his car and spends all he has to buys Bell Auto Parts for 1000 dollars. His auto parts store is said to be the counties first speed shop. And he is also known for bringing to market the Cragar custom s/s wheel.[4] In 1946 after the death of the second close friend by a racing accident he devotes more of his life to creating safer racing products. In 1949 with the start of the Bonneville National Speed Trials he is there selling spare parts and also providing shade for contestants, he does this for 30 years. In 1954 in a garage behind his auto parts store he begins manufacturing his first helmets called the '500'. There goes on to be numerous racers to wear his helmets and many state after crashes that his helmet saved them from serious injury. Even Evil Knievel stated his Bell helmet help in saving his life after his Caesars Palace crash. His Bell Helmet company would go on to provide helmets to over 800 Police Departments for motorcycle officers and also the official provider to the US Ski Team. In 1967 he helped in forming (SEMA) the automotive aftermarket trade group. He is credited with producing the first full-face motorcycle helmet in 1968 the Star and in 1971 the first full-face off-road motorcycle helmet. He is inducted into the Speed Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) Hall of Fame in 1975. His company is credited with producing the first effective bicycle helmet in 1978 the Bell Biker. In 1980 he retired at the age of 63. Roy Richter died on July 28 1983 after his second heart bypass surgery from complications at the age of 66.
References
- ↑ "Bell Helmets - Bell Timeline". Bell. Archived from the original on 2009-12-28. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ↑ "HISTORY & FACTS". Bell Helmets. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ↑ "HOT RODS & COOL CUSTOMS". Die Cast X. 2005. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
- ↑ >Berger, Michael (2001). "The Automobile in American History and Culture: A Reference Guide". GREENWOOD PRES. Retrieved April 20, 2016.