Bror Göran Bälter

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

Bror Göran Bälter showed an early interest in technology and invention. At the age of eleven, he built a functioning steam engine from scrap materials, a machine that still exists and remains in working order today. During World War II, he served on the Finnish border, where he was responsible for the regiment's horses. The need for a reliable fastener to secure the horses inspired him to fashion a simple hook from barbed wire, an idea that would later develop 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 became popular for use on dog leads and in harness systems. The hook was even tested during the British-Norwegian-Swedish Antarctic Expedition (1948-1952), where it proved to be the most reliable fastening solution under extreme temperatures.