When was the first electrically powered windshield wiper invented?

DiversityHot Spots
Written By Jennifer Joslyn

🔌 When was the first electrically powered windshield wiper invented?

In 1917, Charlotte, a woman inventor, built upon Mary Anderson's manual windshield wiper design. Mary's inspiration came from a snowy day in New York City when she couldn't see out of the trolley car's windows. Frustrated by the experience, she created a spring-loaded arm with a rubber blade that could be operated from inside the car. Charlotte took this idea and improved upon it by developing an electrically operated windshield wiper that utilized rollers instead of blades. She introduced her invention, known as the "Electric Storm Windshield Cleaner," through her manufacturing company, Bridgwood Manufacturing.

Read more from Women in Trucking ▶

Featured
ONE, PPIH, and NAX Japan Launch World's First Dual-Temperature CA Refrigerated Container Trial
ONE, PPIH, and NAX Japan Launch World's First Dual-Temperature CA Refrigerated Container Trial

Ocean Network Express (ONE) has partnered with Pan Pacific International Holdings Inc. (PPIH) and NAX Japan to launch the world's first trial of a dual-temperature refrigerated container equipped with Controlled Atmosphere (CA) functions.

Tesla Cybertruck's Battery Size Revealed
Tesla Cybertruck's Battery Size Revealed

A Tesla manager at the San Diego showroom confirmed that the Cybertruck has a 123KWh battery pack, supporting previous leaks suggesting a 267-mile range.

Tesla Imposes One-Year Ownership Rule for Cybertruck Buyers
Tesla Imposes One-Year Ownership Rule for Cybertruck Buyers

Tesla has set a rule in its motor vehicle order agreement for the Cybertruck, stating that buyers must keep the vehicle for at least a year after purchase.

Google-backed Waymo Via is temporarily scaling back its efforts in the autonomous trucking industry
Google-backed Waymo Via is temporarily scaling back its efforts in the autonomous trucking industry

Alphabet Inc.'s Waymo, the autonomous driving company backed by Google, has decided to shift its focus to its ride-hailing service and delay the expansion of Waymo Via, its autonomous commercial trucking arm.

Diesel Technology Forum Champions Near-Zero-Emission Trucks as Key to a Cleaner Trucking Future Amid ZEV Push
Diesel Technology Forum Champions Near-Zero-Emission Trucks as Key to a Cleaner Trucking Future Amid ZEV Push

The Diesel Technology Forum (DTF), a trade group representing suppliers in the diesel engine supply chain, is positioning diesel engines as a leading force in achieving a cleaner future for the trucking industry.

Universal Truck Identification Devices: Streamlining Fleet Operations and Enhancing Efficiency
Universal Truck Identification Devices: Streamlining Fleet Operations and Enhancing Efficiency

The concept of Universal Identification Devices (UID) for trucks, proposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in response to a petition from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), raises numerous questions.

West Coast's Increasing Use of Biofuels to Drive Down Diesel Consumption to Decade Low
West Coast's Increasing Use of Biofuels to Drive Down Diesel Consumption to Decade Low

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the West Coast's rising demand for renewable diesel and biodiesel is expected to lead to the lowest diesel consumption levels in over a decade.

Navistar Unveils Impressive Results from International SuperTruck II Project
Navistar Unveils Impressive Results from International SuperTruck II Project

Navistar, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, has announced the successful outcomes of the International SuperTruck II project.

UPS and the Teamsters Union have reached an agreement to install air conditioning in delivery trucks
UPS and the Teamsters Union have reached an agreement to install air conditioning in delivery trucks

Negotiators for UPS and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) have reached an agreement to improve working conditions for UPS drivers.

Trucks-as-a-Service (TaaS): A Simplified Path to Electric Vehicle Adoption by Fleets
Trucks-as-a-Service (TaaS): A Simplified Path to Electric Vehicle Adoption by Fleets

The concept of Trucks-as-a-Service (TaaS) is gaining attention as a model that aims to facilitate the transition to electric trucks for fleet operators.

Bipartisan Bill Proposes Mandatory Inclusion of AM Radio in New Vehicles
Bipartisan Bill Proposes Mandatory Inclusion of AM Radio in New Vehicles

A new bill proposes a mandatory inclusion of AM radio in all new cars, with a requirement for disclosure if a vehicle lacks AM radio functionality.

Underride guards now mandatory per NHTSA
Underride guards now mandatory per NHTSA

Recently, the NHTSA has proposed the installation of underride guards on trailers to prevent passenger cars from sliding underneath them during accidents, which can cause severe injuries.

Shell's Starship Semi-Truck Shifts to Natural Gas Fuel
Shell's Starship Semi-Truck Shifts to Natural Gas Fuel

Shell's Starship big rig is a concept truck that was developed as a collaboration between Shell Lubricants and the AirFlow Truck Company.

Reduced fleet costs through the use of dash cams
Reduced fleet costs through the use of dash cams

A new study suggests that safety violations are adding to the long list of things increasing insurance costs for trucking companies.

Effective Jan. 1st, Canadian truckers must comply with new ELD enforcement
Effective Jan. 1st, Canadian truckers must comply with new ELD enforcement

While the new ELD mandate doesn’t modify any of the underlying rules in place for hours-of-service (HOS) requirements, Canadian provinces and territories now have the authority to monitor vehicles and issue citations based on ELD data.

Trucking industry expressed distaste over federal electronic identifier proposal
Trucking industry expressed distaste over federal electronic identifier proposal

The country’s motor carriers and independent truckers have not been shy about their opinion on the potential of a federally-mandated unique electronic identifier placed in large trucks.

In-cab technology to improve HOS tracking & dispatching
In-cab technology to improve HOS tracking & dispatching

Tank trucks are being revolutionized by new in-cab technology meant for safety.

AI-operated cab-less trucks are hitting the road after NHTSA approval
AI-operated cab-less trucks are hitting the road after NHTSA approval

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) approved the operation of autonomous vehicle technology created by the Swedish freight tech company Einride.

Autonomous trucking companies are cozying up with freight movers
Autonomous trucking companies are cozying up with freight movers

Large freight movers like U.S. Xpress, Penske Truck Leasing, and DHL Supply Chain have all announced special partnerships for self-driving highway networks in their fleet’s ranks.

Liability mitigated by on-board dash footage
Liability mitigated by on-board dash footage

It is a simpler task to back up your drivers when you have video-footage proof of their driving conduct.

Jennifer Joslyn
Previous

Nevada Desert's Tabletop Flat, Vital for Satellite Calibration, Faces Opposition from NASA Regarding Lithium Mining
Next

Expectations of Further Rate Hikes in 2023