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INDEPENDENT INVENTORS
Imagine a small, cluttered garage, the walls lined with shelves holding jars of nuts, bolts, and old tools. A single overhead lamp illuminates a workbench covered with sketches, parts, and half-finished prototypes. It’s in just this setting that many advancements in automobile technology were born. The independent inventor contributed many advancements to the automobile.
In 1911, Charles Kettering, working out of a friend’s barn, invented the electric starter, replacing the hand crank for starting engines. His invention was first used in the 1912 Cadillac.
In 1945, Ralph Teetor invented cruise control, originally called the "Speedostat," which allowed drivers to maintain a constant speed without keeping their foot on the gas pedal. Family lore suggests that Teetor was inspired to invent cruise control one day while riding with his family's lawyer. The lawyer would slow down while talking and speed up while listening. This annoyed Teetor motivating him to find a solution.
The first turn signal was invented by Florence Lawrence, a silent film actress and inventor, in 1914. She developed a mechanical signaling arm that could be raised or lowered by the driver to indicate a turn, which she called an "auto signaling arm." However, it was not commercially produced or widely adopted at the time. She also invented the first mechanical brake signal. She did not patent either of these inventions, however, and as a result she received no credit for, nor profit from, either one.
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The intermittent windshield wiper was invented by Robert Kearns, an American engineer, in the 1960s. Kearns developed the idea after experiencing frustration with the standard wipers of the time, which either ran continuously or not at all, even during light rain. He patented his design in 1967, which allowed for the wipers to pause between wipes, mimicking the natural blinking of the human eye.
Kearns initially pitched his invention to major automotive manufacturers, but his idea was rejected. Later, many car companies began incorporating intermittent wipers into their vehicles without –-crediting or compensating Kearns. This led to a long legal battle, where Kearns sued Ford, Chrysler, and other automakers for patent infringement. He eventually won significant settlements in the 1990s, which recognized his contribution to automotive technology.
The story of automobile innovation is filled with the ingenuity and persistence of the independent inventor. These inventors remind us that great ideas can come from anywhere and that the spirit of innovation is often found in the most unexpected places.
If you have an idea or an invention for the automobile, I’d love to hear about it. Email me at cruisintimes@gmail.com
…bob
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Q: Why is the magazine only offered in print for 8 issues a year?
A: As we approach the end of our second season under the new ownership, we are grateful for the continued support from our advertisers, subscribers, and the automotive community. Your loyalty and enthusiasm have been motivating.
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