Women's History Month - Mary Anderson

In recognition of Women’s History Month, Smithtown Matters is proud to recognize the accomplishments of women.  It is fascinating to learn the wonderful and interesting ways women have made their mark on the world.  Throughout March, SmithtownMatters will give a brief history of women who made a difference.

Day 4 –Mary Anderson – Inventor of The Windshield Wiper 1903.

Imagine driving through rain, snow and sleet without windshield wipers.  That’s exactly what people did before Mary Anderson invented the windshield wiper in 1903.  While visiting in New York Mary Anderson noticed that drivers had to stop their cars get out and physically remove the snow and ice that was accumulating on the cars windshield.  She started to imagine a way to clear the snow and ice without getting out of the car. 

 In 1904, Mary Anderson applied for a patent for her windshield device.    The device was a swinging arm with a rubber blade.  The arm was to be activated from within the car by turning a lever, which caused the spring-loaded arm with the rubber blade to swing across the windshield and then retreat to its original position. The wiper was also removable.

Mary Anderson’s patent was issued in 1905.  Although others had tried to resolve the windshield issue Mary Anderson’s invention was the first windshield wiper that worked. 

There were not many automobiles on the roads in 1905 however the Model T changed things.  In 1916 windshield wipers became standard equipment on the automobile.