1917 Electric windshield wiper

Bridgwood decided to improve Mary Anderson's manual windshield wipers, in which people had to use levers to operate the windshield wipers. Through her manufacturing company, she invented automatic windshield wipers that she called "Electric Storm Windshield Cleaner". She patented the first electrically powered windshield wiper in 1917, however her wiper used rollers rather than blades and did not catch on. Bridgwood never brought her design into full production, so the patent expired in 1920. Since US patent law no longer protected her product’s propriety, it was only a matter of time until large car manufacturers picked up her design. Cadillac was the first company to adopt the design two years later. Charlotte Bridgwood’s invention was left without much recognition.

Electric windshield wiper. Bridgewood improved Mary Anderson's wipers & made them electric. They each received a patent.

Category:
Automotive

Completion Status:
yes

Patent Number:
1274983

Co-Inventor:
none