Daily I get into my vehicle, turn on the engine, and drive away. If it is a hot day, I choose to turn on the air conditioning or retract my convertible roof. On cool days I adjust the heat system, to ensure I am comfortable as I am driving. When it is raining, snowing or foggy I utilise my Wiper blades to clear the windshield.

I never as a rule think of how these things evolved for my comfort, I just assume that vehicles have these features to boost my driving experience. However, as winter nears, it led me to consider the Windscreen wipers and what a great invention they are.

I have searched for information on this subject and established that in 1903, when the first windshields were added to automobiles, an inventor by the name of J H Apjohn came up with the notion of Windscreen wipers in the form of brushes which swept up and down the windshield to clear it. I imagine that the brushes almost certainly caused quite a few scuffs to the windshield, so in 1905, when the American inventor, Mary Anderson, patented the swinging arm style of windshield wiper, with a rubber blade, this must have been keenly accepted by the automotive industry.

These early Windscreen wipers called for the operator to move a lever in the car to work the wipers, so the next big move was towards electric Windscreen wipers. A dentist from Hawaii, Dr Ormand Wall, invented the electric wipers in 1917, some 12 years after Mary Anderson’s first Wiper Blades were added to motor vehicles.

All Windscreen wipers had rubber blades until relatively recently. The problems found with these were that owing to changes in temperature, heat in summer, frost in winter, the rubber rotted and the Wiper blades needed replacing in a comparatively quick period of time.

Silicone wiper blades are now also offered and these are less susceptible to temperature variations than their rubber forerunners. While the Silicone wiper blades are a little more dear than the rubber Windscreen wipers, they frequently come with a guarantee to not rot or split, as occurs with the rubber wipers, and also allege to be able to follow the contours of the windshield better, giving a cleaner sweep.

We require much from these great little inventions. I expect to push or pull or turn a stick on my driving wheel and get an instant effect from the Wiper blades. They are needed to clear dirt and flies from my windshield in the summer. When the roads are grimy, I want the grime to be cleared from my windscreen straight away, to give me good visibility. If it is icy early in the day, I turn on the heater and impatiently switch the Windscreen wipers on to clear the windshield fast. In winter the thick snow is given no mercy.

Because of the above I am thankful to the ingenious Mary Anderson, the inventor of Windscreen wipers.I also marvel at the type of mind that could come up with such an invention out of just being faced with a problem. It’s a lesson to us all when we’re facing adversity.

There are two types of transmission available to drivers; manual and automatic. If you’re just learning to drive, it is a good idea to get a feel for both so you know which you prefer when it comes to buying your first car. Some don’t realise that the type of transmission they choose affects the driving style they will need.

In most cases, anyone thinking about a used Vauxhall car will need to remember that most Vauxhalls come with a manual transmission. If it’s a luxury car you’re after like a Mercedes then these usually only come with an automatic transmission. Used Vauxhall cars that are automatics are generally harder to find, so you will have to broaden your car search. That’s not a bad thing of course, as it means you have longer to peruse the fabulous range of cars at your local dealership!

Manual vs Automatic

For most elderly drivers, they will only choose manual cars as it is what they are used to. Automatic transmission users love the fact they can just move the gearstick up and down a few notches and the car does the rest. Anyone that is looking at used Vauxhall cars might prefer to spend a bit longer searching for one with an automatic transmission, as they do appeal to many drivers. Of course, the cynics will say that it is lazy to buy an automatic car, as manual cars allow you more control over the car and a better driving experience.

When buying a car, be sure to consider the transmission as this is an important aspect. To those people who have always had manual motors, it is advised that you stick with this type of car. Other people couldn’t imagine driving anything other than an automatic, but that’s fine too. Each to their own, when it comes to used Vauxhall cars.

Each day I climb into my vehicle, start the engine, and drive off. If it is a hot day, I decide to turn on the air conditioning or put down my convertible roof. On cool days I set the heat system, to be certain I am comfy as I am driving. When it is raining, snowing or foggy I utilise my Wiper blades to clear the windscreen.

I never generally think of how these things developed for my comfort, I just assume that vehicles have these facilities to improve my driving experience. However, as winter nears, it caused me to consider the Windscreen wipers and what a wonderful invention they are.

I have searched for information on this area and found that in 1903, when the first windscreens were added to automobiles, an inventor by the name of J H Apjohn came up with the idea of Windscreen wipers in the form of brushes which swept up and down the windshield to clear it. I imagine that the brushes most likely caused quite a few scratches to the windshield, so in 1905, when the American inventor, Mary Anderson, patented the swinging arm style of windshield wiper, with a rubber blade, this must have been eagerly accepted by the motor industry.

These early Windscreen wipers called for the driver to move a lever in the vehicle to operate the wipers, so the next major move was towards electric Windscreen wipers. A dentist from Hawaii, Dr Ormand Wall, invented the electric wipers in 1917, some 12 years after Mary Anderson’s first Wiper Blades were added to vehicles.

All Windscreen wipers had rubber blades until relatively recently. The problems found with these were that due to temperature changes, heat in summer, frost in winter, the rubber perished and the Wiper blades needed replacing in a relatively short period of time.

Silicone wiper blades are now also offered and these are less at risk from temperature variants than their rubber forerunners. Though the Silicone wiper blades are slightly more pricey than the rubber Windscreen wipers, they frequently come with a guarantee to not rot or split, as happens with the rubber wipers, and also claim to be able to follow the contours of the windshield better, giving a cleaner sweep.

We request a lot from these wonderful little inventions. I expect to press or pull or twist at a stick on my driving wheel and receive an instant effect from the Wiper blades. They are expected to clear dust and bugs from my windshield in the summer. When the roads are grimy, I want the mud to be removed from my windscreen promptly, to give me clear vision. If it is icy early in the day, I switch on the heater and impatiently turn the Windscreen wipers on to clear the windscreen fast. In winter the thick snow is given no mercy.

Because of the above I give thanks to the ingenious Mary Anderson, the inventor of Windscreen wipers.I also marvel at the type of mind that could come up with such an invention out of just being faced with a problem. It’s a lesson to us all when we’re facing adversity.