Snell Memorial
- Donated by: Native Sons of the Golden West, February 10, 2024
- Description: A glass case containing a replica of William Howard “Pete” Snell’s racing helmet from 1956, along with a two-dimensional silhouette roadster and a plaque honoring Snell’s contribution to motorsports. The helmet is displayed as it would have been worn, with the plaque mounted directly below.
- Location: Second Floor
- Additional Information: The Native Sons of the Golden West is an organization dedicated to historic preservation and documentation of California’s historic structures and places. The group sponsors the placement of historic plaques and other charitable activities throughout the state.
The plaque reads:
William Howard “Pete” Snell
1914–1956
Born in Reno, Nevada, Pete Snell enlisted in the United States Army in 1940, and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, specializing in aviation signal work. Snell began racing sports cars in 1951.
On this site, while driving his Triumph TR-3 in the Redwood Empire Sports Car Race at the Arcata airport on August 19, 1956, Snell was bumped by another car and lost control, flipping several times. Snell’s state-of-the-art helmet shattered and, an hour later, he died of traumatic head injuries at Trinity Hospital in Arcata.
Dr. George Snively, track physician at Arcata, was studying the effectiveness of the helmets being used by the drivers. Seeing firsthand how poorly the existing headgear performed, Snively began formal research into advanced head protection.
The Snell Memorial Foundation was established in 1957, and financed Dr. Snively’s work to develop helmet testing and certification standards. More than sixty years later, with standards surpassing the United States Department of Transportation, the Snell Memorial Foundation remains a leader in testing, certification, and improvement of headgear for motorsports and many other activities where helmets are used. The Sports Car Club of America, and other organizations, now require the use of helmets approved by Snell.
Dedicated February 10, 2024
Native Sons of the Golden West
George A. Adams, Grand President
and
Ferndale Parlor No. 93, Timothy Wilson, President
Special recognition to Dale Warmuth and Bell Helmets
Press Releases/News Clips: Snell Foundation Facebook Post on February 10, 2024
Native Sons of the Golden West Website: (nsgw.org)
William Howard “Pete” Snell (1914–1956) was born in Reno, Nevada, and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II, specializing in aviation signal work. After the war, he became an avid sports car racer.
On August 19, 1956, while competing in the Redwood Empire Sports Car Race at the Arcata Airport, Snell’s Triumph TR-3 was struck by another car, causing it to flip multiple times. Despite wearing what was then considered a state-of-the-art helmet, the helmet failed, and Snell died of traumatic head injuries at Trinity Hospital in Arcata.
This tragedy became the catalyst for advancing helmet safety. Dr. George Snively, the race physician, witnessed the accident firsthand and began formal studies on helmet performance. In 1957, the Snell Memorial Foundation was established to fund helmet testing and develop safety standards. Today, Snell-certified helmets are required by many organizations worldwide and remain a benchmark for head protection.