(1934-) American lawyer who became famous as an
advocate for
consumer protection against
government and
business practices considered
dangerous to
public health and safety. His book, Unsafe at Any Speed (1965), attacked the
American automobile
industry for placing profits and
style over safety. It specifically criticized
General Motors Corporation (one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the
world) for building a vehicle he called a "
death trap." The book became a bestseller and led to the passage of
legislation which gave the
government the
power to enact safety
standards for all automobiles sold in the United
States.
General Motors tried to discredit Nader personally and
set private detectives on him. Nader sued
General Motors for invasion of privacy, and the
company was eventually forced to pay him $300,000. Nader also publicized the possible dangers of excessive
use of X-rays, food
additives and
radiation from TVs. Additionally, his
efforts brought about stricter safety and health
laws in
meat and poultry industries, coal mines, etc.
(1934- )
American lawyer who became famous as an
advocate for
consumer protection against
government and
business practices considered
dangerous to
public health and safety. His book, Unsafe at Any Speed (1965), attacked the
American automobile
industry for placing profits and
style over safety. It specifically criticized
General Motors Corporation (one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the
world) for building a vehicle he called a "
death trap." The book became a best-
seller and led to the passage of
legislation which gave the
government the
power to enact safety
standards for all automobiles sold in the United
States.
General Motors tried to discredit Nader personally and
set private detectives on him. Nader sued
General Motors for invasion of privacy, and the
company was eventually forced to pay him $425,000. Nader also publicized the possible dangers of excessive
use of X-rays, food
additives, and
radiation from TVs. Additionally, his
efforts brought about stricter safety and health
laws in
meat and poultry industries, coal mines, etc.
(1934 - ) US lawyer known as a
leading advocate for consumers. Nader became known in the 1960s for accusing the automobile
industry of
producing dangerous cars. He then later attacked unsanitary
conditions in the
meat packing
industry and called for more
attention to railroad and airline safety.