Windshield Wipers

October 23, 2009

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Profile America — Friday, October 23rd. Can you imagine having to reach outside to clear your windshield when it rains or snows? That’s just what people had to do in the early days of the automobile. A young woman from Alabama named Mary Anderson noticed this on a visit to New York City. She promptly drew up plans for the first hand-operated windshield wiper and was granted a patent in 1905. By 1916, such wipers were standard equipment on all automobiles and streetcars. Checking the condition of your wiper blades is one of the things everyone should do as winter weather approaches. Keeping your car in good shape makes driving safer. Poor maintenance is thought to be a factor in many of the nearly 10.5 million motor vehicle accidents across the nation each year. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: inventors.about.com
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2009, t. 1063
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2009edition.html