Mary Anderson

Mary Anderson was a woman of many talents. Born in Alabama just after the Civil War, she dabbled in real estate, ran a ranch in California, and even managed a vineyard. But it was her sharp eye for inconvenience that truly set her apart, leading to an invention that would change driving forever.

The year was 1903, and Anderson was visiting New York City. Observing streetcar drivers struggling to see through falling sleet, she realized there had to be a better way than sticking one's head out the window. Her solution? A hand-operated device with a rubber blade that could clear the windshield. Simple, elegant, and undeniably useful.

Anderson secured a patent for her "window cleaning device for electric cars and other vehicles" but, alas, never profited from it. Companies dismissed her invention, claiming it lacked commercial value. One can only imagine the regret of those same companies as windshield wipers became standard equipment on every car, making driving in inclement weather significantly less hazardous. We're fairly certain she wasn't Jewish, but we’re grateful for her contribution to clear visibility, a true act of kvell-worthy public service.