Women and the automotive industry: inventions that increased the comfort and safety of drivers

Although the history of the creation of automobiles is closely related to men, it is equally important to recognize the contribution of women who made these vehicles more comfortable and safer. It is impossible not to mention the representatives of the fair sex, who had a significant impact on the automotive industry, remaining unnoticed. Moreover, their contribution to the development and improvement of the automobile industry is significant. And the number of women who continue to introduce innovations and technological solutions in this field is constantly growing. Not only are they directly engaged in scientific research, but they also become a source of inspiration for men working in this field, showing that men are not as strong without women.
Let's consider the most famous inventions that women gave us.

 

• Inventor of windshield wipers for cars
• Rearview mirror
• Road markings
• Turn signals and stop lights
• Brake pads
• Kevlar for tires
• Car heater
• Muffler (acoustic filter)

 

 

Mary Anderson: the inventor of "wipers" for cars

 

 

American Mary Anderson was inspired to invent windshield wipers after a trip to New York. It was there that she noticed that tram drivers were forced to drive with the window sashes open to be able to wipe the raindrops from outside. Or even stop the tram and get out to clear the frost from the windshield. Upon returning home to Alabama, Mary Anderson hired a designer to help her design a windshield wiper. It consisted of a hand lever located inside the car that operated a rubber blade on the outside of the window. A special spring provided contact between the wiper and the window. With the help of a lever, it was possible to move the spring-loaded brush from left to right and thus clean the windshield of the car.

 

 

In 1903, the inventor received a patent for her invention. However, it began to be used effectively somewhat later. The idea of windshield wipers arose in many people before Mary Anderson, but it was her windshield wiper that turned out to be the most effective. Who knows, maybe if it weren't for this woman, we would still be driving with our heads out the window.

 

 

Dorothy Levitt and her rearview mirror

 

 

Dorothy Levitt is known not only as a journalist, writer and activist, but also as one of the fastest female racing drivers. And this despite the fact that she skillfully drove vehicles both on land and on water. And left a significant mark in history, setting several speed records.

 

 

Dorothy Levitt recommended that women always have a small mirror with them while driving. And this is not to powder the nose, but to see what is happening behind. This is what formed the basis of the rear-view mirror, which over time car manufacturers made it a standard element in all vehicle models.

Today, it is difficult to imagine a small female mirror instead of systems that provide drivers with a full view around. Such as a built-in rearview camera or systems in the side mirrors. Well, innovations do not stand still.

 

 

June McCarroll and her road marking idea

 

 

June McCarroll's invention is a case where determination and assertiveness paid off. Once on the way to work, a truck pushed her car off the road. This served the emergence of the idea of a dividing line on the road. However, local authorities rejected McCarroll's proposal. This prompted her to go outside and manually draw a line on the road.

 

 

Later, with the help of a women's association, she pushed forward her initiative, and the authorities nevertheless implemented her idea in the form of a law. Since then, road markings have become mandatory in almost all countries of the world. It is hard to imagine what it would be like without her today.

 

 

Florence Lawrence: author of the turn signal and brake light prototypes

 

Turn signals and brake lights are standard for modern vehicles. However, few people know that we owe their appearance to the Hollywood movie star Florence Lawrence . She was not only a good driver and an ardent fan of cars, but she could even fix malfunctions in transport on her own. So she invented the first mechanical turn signal. When the button was pressed, the system lowered the flag on the rear bumper of the car. This signaled to other drivers which way the car was going to turn.

 

 

Florence Lawrence also developed the first version of the brake signal, which worked similarly: when the brake was pressed, the "Stop" sign rose on the rear bumper. Despite her invaluable contribution to automobile development, the inventor never filed her inventions for patents and did not receive a penny for them.

 

 

Berta Benz and brake pads

 

The wife of the car inventor and founder of Mercedes-Benz, Berta Benz, not only drew people's attention to her husband's invention with her car trip in 1988, but also made several important discoveries.

 

 

When the car's worn wooden brakes failed after a long journey, Bertha had a cobbler install leather soles, thus creating the first set of brake pads.

 

 

Stephanie Kwolek: Inventor of Kevlar for tires

 

Kevlar is used not only for the production of bulletproof vests and other protective equipment, but also in the automotive industry. Chemist Stephanie Kwolek actually developed this material in order to reinforce car tires with it.

 

 

After all, it is 5 times stronger than steel and lighter than fiberglass. Today, Kevlar not only helps to increase the safety of many modern cars, but is also used in the production of cables, bodies, boats, aircraft fuselages and even spacecraft parts.

 

 

Margaret Wilcox and the Car Heater

 

The next time you start your car on a cold day and warm it up, don't forget to thank mechanical engineer Margaret Wilcox . After all, it was she who in 1893 invented a way to heat a car without electricity. The work of her invention was to direct hot air from the engine into the car interior.

 

 

However, it was not widely used for a long time and remained a luxury item. Popularity caught up with him only after a decade.

 

 

Elle Dolores Jones: inventor of the acoustic filter (muffler) for engines

 

One can only guess what kind of noise cars made before the muffler was invented by the American Elle Dolores Jones . Although the inventor's acoustic filter was created primarily for aircraft engines, it became the prototype of a similar device that is now included in the design of any car. And it had the appearance of a small metal propeller installed in the path of the flow of exhaust gases.

 

 

The design of this muffler helped to significantly reduce the noise from the engine without losing its power.

 

 

All these inventive women undoubtedly made an invaluable contribution to the automotive industry and this should not be forgotten. Just imagine what driving would be like today if it weren't for their important inventions.