This morning, as we were driving amid the aftermath of a snowstorm, filthy road mist pecking at our windshield just weakly enough to render the full-on wiper setting an overkill of angry squeals, we thanked the great pumpkin for his gift of intermittent wipers. Timed perfectly to swipe away moisture with an elegant flip of its electrical relay, intermittents are one of the few late-century automotive features, like rear-window defoggers and power brakes, that truly enhance civilization. As it turns out, we should have been thanking Robert Kearns, who died today at the age of 77. Kearns fought tooth and nail with Ford and Chrysler for the spoils of his invention, which he claimed they stole. In he end, he was enriched by it, as are we all. Godspeed, Mr. Kearns, you magnificent bastard. [Thanks to Jason for the tip.]
Father of Intermittent Wipers Dies [The Indy Channel]
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Automotive Ephemera [internal]