© 2025 All Rights reserved WUSF
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Thanks to you, WUSF is here — delivering fact-based news and stories that reflect our community.⁠ Your support powers everything we do.

Windshield Wipers Invented In 'Flash Of Genius'

In 1967, Robert Kearns received patents for inventing intermittent car windshield wipers. He offered his idea to automakers but was turned away. When Ford and Chrysler started manufacturing cars with wipers without crediting Kearns, he took the case all the way to the Supreme Court. A new film called Flash of Genius tells his story.

Guests:

John Seabrook, staff writer at The New York Times, author of Flash of Genius and Other True Stories of Invention

Mark Abraham, producer and director of film Flash of Genius

Greg Kinnear, plays lead role of Bob Kearns in Flash of Genius

Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Tags
Our daily newsletter, delivered first thing weekdays, keeps you connected to your community with news, culture, national NPR headlines, and more.