Windshield wipers are a vital technology that we frequently utilise as drivers here in the United Kingdom. Sometimes we may take them for granted, but these convenient little blades safeguard us from rain, snow, stray leaves, and debris while enhancing our visibility of the road ahead.
Where did they originate? When were they created, and how has the technology advanced over the past century? Read our concise and informative history of windshield wipers below.
Early motor vehicles and windshields First and foremost, it’s crucial to acknowledge that the earliest motor vehicles, or horseless carriages, were primarily playthings for wealthy nobles and entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom. During the early 20th century, known as the Edwardian Era of automobile development, steam-powered, electric, and internal combustion engine technologies fiercely competed for supremacy in the nascent automotive industry.
One common feature among these early self-propelled vehicles was the absence of windshields. Instead, drivers and passengers relied on goggles to shield themselves from the elements. In 1904, optional plate glass windshields were introduced on vehicles, although these windows were prone to shattering and often posed more danger than not having them at all.
As a result, windscreen wipers were unnecessary for these early automobiles since windshields were rarely used until the 1930s when shatter-resistant polyvinyl butyral (PVB) glass became standard.
Necessity breeds invention Shifting our focus back to the turn of the century and crossing over to the United States, a winter stay in New York by Mary Anderson, a real estate developer and rancher from Alabama, sparked the flame of inspiration and innovation that would revolutionize our driving experience.
During her visit to New York in the cold, snowy winter of 1902, Mary Anderson rode in a trolley car amidst heavy sleet and snowfall. She observed the driver repeatedly stopping the trolley to manually clear the sleet with his hands. The inconvenience of frequent stops likely led her to ponder a solution to the problem.
She may have wondered, “If only there were a way to wipe away rain, sleet, and snow from inside the vehicle.” Upon returning to Alabama, Anderson enlisted the help of a designer to create a prototype for a hand-operated device that could do just that—a windshield wiper, although rudimentary in design compared to what we know today.
Unfortunately, her initial attempt to patent this invention through a Montreal patent office was rejected, citing “no commercial value” for her technology. However, her request to the United States Patent and Trademark Office was granted in November 1903.
While it may seem that she struck while the iron was hot, Anderson never profited from her invention and was ahead of her time. The problem was that automobiles, as mentioned earlier, were still rare until the 1920s and beyond. Windshields were not standard on most vehicles, and those equipped with windshields did not become commonplace until 1922 with Cadillac. By that time, Anderson’s 17-year patent had already expired.
Intermittent windshield wipers The earliest windshield wipers based on Mary Anderson’s invention were manually operated. By the 1920s, automatic windshield wipers had been patented and became the standard in America. These wipers also gained popularity in Britain and Europe.
While the ability to keep windshields clean and maintain clear visibility proved useful, other inventors recognized issues and provided solutions for these new devices. One such issue was that the original windshield wipers operated at a constant interval, similar to a blinking motion. While seemingly insignificant, some innovative minds believed that timing the intervals to match the natural blinking of the human eye would be less distracting and more effective.
British inventors filed original patents in the 1920s, but widespread adoption of this technology did not occur until 1963. In 1964, Wayne State University engineering professor Robert Kearns filed patent 3,351,836 for a “Windshield wiper system with intermittent operation.” Kearns’ technology was implemented in millions of vehicles and is now the standard for windshield wipers worldwide.
If Mary Anderson’s lack of profit from her invention was unfortunate, what transpired in Kearns’ life is truly tragic. As a renowned engineering professor based in Detroit, Kearns had connections within the Ford Motor Company who expressed interest in his invention.
Kearns demonstrated his invention to Ford engineers, believing there was a mutual understanding that they would incorporate his patented technology. However, Ford later claimed to have independently developed a similar technology and rejected any offers made to Kearns. This led to a prolonged legal battle between Kearns and Ford Motor Company in the Federal Circuit.
The legal disputes between Kearns and Ford dragged on for decades, causing the deterioration of Kearns’ physical and mental health and straining his relationships with his wife and children. The poignant story of Kearns was portrayed in the 2008 film “Flash of Genius,” with Greg Kinnear playing the role of Robert Kearns.
Modern windshield wiping technologies Today, most vehicles in the United Kingdom come equipped with standard or optional rain-sensing windshield wipers. As vehicles become increasingly “smart” and digitized, rain sensors are being integrated into modern car windshields. These sensors enable windshield wipers to activate automatically upon detecting rainfall without requiring any input from the driver.
Some cars even feature “hidden wipers” that are concealed beneath the rear of the bonnet, enhancing aesthetics, reducing wind resistance, and keeping the blades secure when not in use.
Modern windshield repair and replacement Windshields and windshield wipers have come a long way since the early 1900s. However, the need for high-quality repair and replacement services has only increased as more people are driving than ever before.
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