Robert Kearns is an American engineer who first invented and patented the first wiper mechanism for cars in 1964. The design innovation of a smart American first gained popularity in 1969.
Robert is famous all over the world for the fact that he won several scandalous court hearings on patent rights from large automobile companies. The thing is that when Robert Williams Cairns (not to be confused with the Swedish poet and folklorist Robert Burns, photos below) came up with a mechanism for car wipers on glass (1964), he began to offer his development to several powerful corporations, such as Ford and Chrysler.
The American inventor patented his product and wanted to produce them for large automotive companies, which, in turn, were engaged in the development of a similar product. Robert did not receive a positive answer, but after a few years he found out that his invention was appropriated by the above-mentioned automobile companies. And then Robert thought …
American inventor Robert Cairns: biography
Born March 10 in 1927 in the city of Gary (Indiana, United States of America). As a child, Robert loved all kinds of mechanisms and designs. He could spend the whole day in his father’s garage, dismantling the old engine or cleaning the evaporator in the car. Robert was extremely interested in cars, and he also lived near the Ford plant (Detroit's Michigan workspace). His father worked at the Great Lakes Steel Corporation, a steel company involved in the engineering industry.
Education and family
In his school years, Robert excelled in applied sciences. He also attended orienteering and went to music school, where he played the violin. It is worth noting that the guy was a very talented violinist.
During World War II, Robert Kearns was a member of the Bureau of Strategic Services (currently renamed the CIA - Central Intelligence Agency, an agency of the Federal Government of the United States of America). After the war, Robert received an engineering degree from the University of Detroit, and a few years later earned his Ph.D. in Technology Development from Case Western Reserve Research University (Cleveland, Ohio).
In the 60s, Robert Cairns married the Phillies (Lauren Graham). The couple had six children.
American inventor Robert Cairns: where did the idea come from?
In 1953, Robert was blind in one eye when he unsuccessfully opened a bottle of champagne, and the cork flew into his eye. Every year, vision deteriorated, and with the slightest rain, it was difficult for Kearns to see the road when he was driving a car.
One day, Robert was driving home, and heavy rain began. At this point, the engineer comes up with the idea of how to create a useful mechanical device that will clean the water from the windshield. Having kept the idea in mind, the next day Robert set about developing such a mechanism.
After several weeks of experimental research, he created moving “wipers” in the likeness of the repeating movements of the eyelids of the human eye. The only thing left was to develop the necessary documentation and test this design on your own car.
After successful operation, Robert patents his product and visits the engineering bureau of the automobile company Ford, which to no avail worked on the same task.
Bad news: cheating
Surprised by such a useful invention, manager Maclean Tyler suggested that Cairns compile a business plan and calculate the cost of launching car wipers into a factory. But Robert said that he would like to engage in the production of wipers himself, after which consensus could not be reached.
However, Kearns had already demonstrated the operation of the mechanism in practice, and even provided all the necessary documentation, which was subsequently retained by Maclean Tyler. Ultimately, after a visit to the Ford plant, Roberta stopped calling and notifying with news. A few years later, Cairns accidentally came to the presentation of a new Ford sports car, where he saw his "wipers". At that moment, the repressed Robert realizes that he was simply deceived and appropriated by his invention.
