The story of the intermittent windshield wiper is a classic tale of innovation, rejection, and eventually, vindication, centered around the inventor Robert Kearns. Back in the 1960s, Kearns, a professor and engineer, conceived the idea for windshield wipers that could operate at variable speeds instead of the constant swiping that was standard at the time. The idea was born out of personal necessity; Kearns himself was partially blind in one eye due to a champagne cork accident, and he found the continuous motion of the wiper blades distracting and disorienting under light rain or mist.
Kearns set about creating a prototype in his home garage, a system he believed would greatly enhance driver visibility and safety during light precipitation. His invention allowed the wipers to pause between wipes, giving the driver control over the frequency of the wiping cycle. Confident in the utility of his creation, Kearns approached several major automobile companies, hoping to license his new technology. However, despite initial interest and numerous discussions, no agreements were forged. Kearns was left without any contracts, but soon afterward, he noticed that Ford, among other automakers, had begun installing intermittent wipers into their new models.
Feeling wronged by what he perceived as patent infringement, Kearns decided to sue Ford and Chrysler for using his invention without permission or appropriate compensation. The legal battle was lengthy and arduous, beginning in the 1970s and stretching across several decades. Kearns, adamant about representing himself for much of the litigation, argued that his patents, which detailed the mechanism of the intermittent wiper system, had been unmistakably used by the auto giants without his authorization.
In 1990, the courts ruled in favor of Kearns in the case against Ford, awarding him $10.2 million in damages. A subsequent case in 1992 against Chrysler also ended in Kearns' favor, bringing in an additional $30 million. These victories marked a significant triumph for individual inventors facing off against corporate behemoths.
Robert Kearns' struggle is more than just a legal battle; it is a stark illustration of the challenges faced by individual inventors in protecting and profiting from their innovations. His story has inspired many, underscoring the importance of perseverance, belief in one’s own ideas, and the complex interplay between innovation and law. It serves as a reminder of the impact one person can have on an entire industry and is often referenced in discussions about patent law and the rights of individual inventors. Kearns' fight with the automotive industry is a testament to the notion that with enough determination, even the most formidable opponents can be faced down.
