Women have a long and esteemed history of making significant contributions to the automotive industry. Today, we recognize Mary Sullivan who is credited with the invention of the windshield wiper in 1903. Indispensable, ingenious, and lifesaving, windshield wipers revolutionized driving in inclement weather although, strangely enough, it took several years before they were mass-adopted by major automobile manufacturers.
A talented entrepreneur, Mary was an investor, real estate developer, vintner, and cattle rancher, but her claim to fame came when her patent for “an automatic car window cleaning device” was approved in the early 1900s. Wisely renamed windshield wiper, her inspired invention came about as many do — out of necessity.
One snowy day, Mary undertook a trolley tour of New York City and was struck by how the streetcar drivers frequently had to open the window to see where they were going, even stopping the vehicle to clear the windows by hand on several occasions. Her mind was racing with ideas and a major innovation was born!
Her inventive idea relied on a lever on the inside of the vehicle that controlled a spring-loaded arm with a rubber blade affixed to its end. Counter-weighted to keep the blade in contact with the windshield, Mary’s clever solution eventually became standard issue on all motor vehicles. Cadillac installed windshield wipers on all its vehicles in 1922.
The next time you are safely navigating through a blinding rain or a driving snowstorm, be sure to give thanks to Mary Sullivan!
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