 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2009) |
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| Company type | Nonprofit organization |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1957 |
| Headquarters | North Highlands, California |
Key people | Executive Director Stephen Johnson |
| Services | Helmet safety research, testing, certification, and education |
| Website | smf |
The Snell Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit organization created to provide a high quality standard of safety for helmets. Founded in 1957, the foundation is named after William "Pete" Snell, a popular sports car racer who died in 1956 of head injuries he received when the racing helmet he wore failed to protect his head. A group of friends, scientists, physicians, and others joined together to create a group that would promote research and education as well as test and develop standards to improve the effectiveness of helmets.