How Mary Anderson Invented the Windshield Wiper

A 1903 invention by Mary Anderson that allowed drivers to manually clear rain and snow from their windshields using a lever inside the vehicle.

What it covers

The device consists of a swinging arm with a rubber blade attached to a lever inside the car. When the driver moves the lever, the arm pivots across the glass to clear away moisture or debris. It was designed to improve visibility during bad weather without requiring the driver to stop the car and exit to clean the windshield manually.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover automatic or motorized wiper systems.
• —Does not cover sensors that detect rain to trigger wiping.
• —Does not cover intermittent or variable speed control mechanisms.

The clever bit

The innovation was moving the control mechanism inside the cabin, separating the human operator from the external environment while maintaining direct mechanical control of the cleaning arm.

Why it matters

Before this invention, drivers had to stop their vehicles and step out into the elements to wipe their windshields by hand. Anderson's patent provided a safer, more practical way to maintain visibility, which was essential as automobiles became more common and travel speeds increased.

Real-world examples

• 1.Early 20th-century manual windshield wipers
• 2.Vintage automobile restoration parts