We all know the frustration of a dysfunctional windshield wiper. The rain or snow hits the glass and obscures your vision, making it nearly impossible to see. Without a working wiper, driving goes from difficult to dangerous.
But have you ever wondered at the history of this simple but vital invention? The story begins with one woman, Mary Anderson, whose inventive mind was sparked by a rainy streetcar ride in New York City.
Mary Anderson was born and raised in Alabama. She wasn't an engineer or an inventor by trade, but a fateful trip to New York City in 1903 sparked her ingenuity. While riding on the streetcar, she noticed the driver had to frequently stop and clean off the windshield to keep it clear. The frustration of the driver (and the idea that a mechanical device could do it better) sparked the idea for Anderson's invention.
Upon returning to Birmingham, Anderson sketched out her idea and applied for a patent. The design involved a lever inside the car connected to a lever outside that moved a rubber blade back and forth across the windshield, wiping away rain and snow. Best of all, the design was fully removable. This capability meant that the design and appearance of the vehicle wouldn't be affected by the device.
Despite its obvious practicality, the invention didn't catch on with manufacturing firms. Historians have speculated that without a male relative to help her promote and market the invention, Anderson didn't have the credibility or the financial resources to bring her idea to fruition. While the patent was issued in 1903, it expired in 1920 without bringing in a single penny of profit.
Even though there was a lack of initial interest in the windshield wiper, Anderson's invention has now become an integral part of automotive safety and convenience. Her patent (#743,801 Window Cleaning Device) is a testament to how curiosity in everyday routines can spark innovation. Curiosity makes us wonder - who knows how our roads might look today if she had never taken that rainy ride on the streetcar?
Inspiring Quote
"Innovation is seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought."
—Dr. Albert Szent-Györgyi
The Chase Jarvis Live Show
I recently sat down with Chase Jarvis to discuss innovation, design, and my latest release, “The Innovator’s Handbook.” It was great to chat about how we can innovate by changing how we view our world. Click below to listen to the podcast episode on The Chase Jarvis Show.