Mary Anderson Invented the Windshield Wiper
Mary Anderson Invented the Windshield Wiper
In 1902, Mary Anderson watched a streetcar driver struggle in the snow and sketched a simple lever that would change driving forever. Car companies rejected her idea, but every driver in the world uses it today.
Mary Anderson visited New York City in 1902.
Mary Anderson visited New York City in 1902.
One cold winter day, she rode a streetcar through sleet and snow.
One cold winter day, she rode a streetcar through sleet and snow.
The driver kept stopping to lean out and wipe the windshield by hand.
The driver kept stopping to lean out and wipe the windshield by hand.
The passengers were cold.
The passengers were cold.
The car moved slowly.
The car moved slowly.
It was dangerous.
It was dangerous.
Mary thought there must be a better way.
Mary thought there must be a better way.
She sat in her seat and sketched an idea in her notebook.
She sat in her seat and sketched an idea in her notebook.
She drew a spring-loaded lever with a rubber blade attached.
She drew a spring-loaded lever with a rubber blade attached.
A driver could move the lever from inside the cab.
A driver could move the lever from inside the cab.
The blade would sweep across the glass and clear the rain or snow.
The blade would sweep across the glass and clear the rain or snow.
Back home in Alabama, Mary worked with a designer to build a working model.
Back home in Alabama, Mary worked with a designer to build a working model.
The device was attached to the outside of a car window.
The device was attached to the outside of a car window.
A handle inside the cab controlled the rubber blade.
A handle inside the cab controlled the rubber blade.
It worked perfectly.
It worked perfectly.
Mary filed a patent for her windshield wiper in 1903.
Mary filed a patent for her windshield wiper in 1903.
She tried to sell her invention to car companies.
She tried to sell her invention to car companies.
But the companies said it was not necessary.
But the companies said it was not necessary.
Some even said the moving blade would distract drivers.
Some even said the moving blade would distract drivers.
Mary's patent expired in 1920.
Mary's patent expired in 1920.
By then, windshield wipers were standard on every new car.
By then, windshield wipers were standard on every new car.
But no company paid her for the idea.
But no company paid her for the idea.
Today, every car in the world has windshield wipers.
Today, every car in the world has windshield wipers.
They keep drivers safe in rain, snow, and sleet.
They keep drivers safe in rain, snow, and sleet.
Mary Anderson invented this device, but her name is rarely remembered.
Mary Anderson invented this device, but her name is rarely remembered.