Meet Ralph Nader: America’s relentless consumer watchdog

Ralph Nader, a name once on every American's lips, took on the auto industry—and won.

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How a book changed everything

"Unsafe at Any Speed" exposed the deadly flaws in American car design and changed auto safety forever.

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Why General Motors feared one man

Nader sued GM after they hired a private detective to discredit him. He won—and used the money to fund activism.

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The birth of car safety laws

Just 10 months after his book, the U.S. government passed the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

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Nader’s Raiders take Washington

Nader's team of young activists—Nader’s Raiders—investigated federal agencies and fought for reforms.

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Public Citizen: A movement begins

Nader founded Public Citizen, a powerful advocacy group that took on corporations and government corruption.

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From typewriter to policy change

Nader lived modestly, typed his reports, and rode the bus—yet influenced federal laws and millions of lives.

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The long list of safety wins

From airbags to rearview cameras, today’s car safety features owe a debt to Nader’s crusade.

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One man vs. an industry

Nader’s fearless pursuit of truth made him both hated and hailed—but he never backed down.

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Honors, awards, and impact

From the Automotive Hall of Fame to the Gandhi Peace Award, Nader’s legacy is officially recognized.

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The president America never had

Though he ran for president multiple times, Nader’s influence was felt more off the ballot.

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A legacy written in safety

From courtrooms to Congress, Nader’s work saved lives—and inspired generations of activists.

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Image source: By Don LaVange (https://www.flickr.com/photos/wickenden/) - Flickr (https://www.flickr.com/photos/wickenden/474602694/), CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org