Ryan, James J. (James Jay), 1903-1973.

James Jay Ryan, B.S. (1925) University of Iowa, M.S. (1929) University of Pittsburgh. Professor mechanical engineering at the University of Minnesota (1931-1963). Best known for his inventions of the flight data recorder and the retractable seat belt.

James Ryan was born on 27 November 1903 in LeClaire, Iowa. In 1925 he received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Iowa, and in 1929, his M.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, doing his graduate work at Stanford University. Ryan came to the University of Minnesota as an assistant professor in mechanical engineering in 1931, being promoted to associate professor in 1940, and full professor in 1950.

...