Bror Göran Bälter in english

Bror Göran Bälter, 1919–1996, inventor of the world-famous snap hook, also known as the Swedish Snap. Most people have likely encountered the BGB hook on dog leashes, horse harnesses, child car seats, brush cutters, and backpacks.

Bror Göran Bälter showed an early interest in technology and invention. At just eleven years old, he built a working steam engine from scrap materials — a machine that still exists and works to this day. During World War II, he served at the Finnish border, where he was responsible for the regiment’s horses. The need for a reliable hook to tie up the horses led him to shape a makeshift hook from barbed wire — an idea that would later evolve into the B G B® snap hook.

After the war, Bror returned to Orsa and fulfilled his dream of starting his own workshop. In 1946, he patented the B G B® snap hook, which quickly gained popularity for use in dog leashes and harness systems. The hook was even tested during the British-Norwegian-Swedish Antarctic Expedition (1948–1952), where it proved to be the most reliable option under extreme temperature conditions.