Windshield Cleaned by Jets of Water While Driving (Nov, 1936)
Filed under: Automotive, Origins — @ 11:10 pm
Source: Popular Mechanics ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Nov, 1936
| Buy on Ebay
Source: Popular Mechanics ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Nov, 1936
| Buy on Ebay
Windshield Cleaned by Jets of Water While Driving
Controlled by a button on the dashboard, an automatic windshield washer will keep the glass clean while driving. Two small chromium-plated nozzles mounted on the cowl just in front of the windshield wipers are the only external parts, the glass jar used as a reservoir for clear water being mounted under the hood. The fountain is operated by vacuum, two jets thrown against the windshield removing dust, rain spots, mud and insects.
What a crazy idea- NEVER catch on, I’ll tell you!
Seriously, though, I can’t imagine driving a car under today’s speeds and conditions without a windshield washer! (Shouldn’t this be under “Origins” too, Charlie?)
Comment by nlpnt — April 10, 2008 @ 7:08 am
nlpnt » Good point. I added it.
Comment by Charlie — April 10, 2008 @ 9:21 am
I always liked the old VW-bug low-tech mechanism. Air pressure from the spare tire was used. A cutoff valve prevented the spare from deflating below its usable pressure.
Comment by Rick Auricchio — April 10, 2008 @ 4:27 pm
now i’m curious to know how was it before the washer…
Comment by Sonatta — April 10, 2008 @ 5:49 pm
I’ve had a few old cars that didn’t have washers, it sucked. A friend of my had a VW micro bus that had a squeeze bulb for the washer.
Comment by jmyint — April 10, 2008 @ 6:06 pm
Wow, I had forgotten all about the bulb type. My family had an old RV that had a bulb mounted on the floor that you had to step on with your left foot to pump water; though the previous owner had bypassed it and installed an electric pump but it was still interesting.
Comment by Mark — April 12, 2008 @ 9:10 am