Windshield wipers are a crucial safety feature in automobiles, enhancing visibility during inclement weather conditions. The first rudimentary windshield wiper was invented in 1903 by Mary Anderson, who observed the struggles of streetcar drivers during a New York City snowfall.
Anderson’s design consisted of a lever-operated rubber blade that could be manually swept across the windshield. While initially met with skepticism, windshield wipers gradually gained acceptance and became standard equipment on vehicles by the 1920s. Today, windshield wipers have evolved into sophisticated systems with multiple speeds, automatic rain-sensing capabilities, and even heated blades for use in freezing conditions.