The history of windscreen wiper linkage is closely tied to the development of the automobile and the need for a reliable system to clear rain, snow, and debris from a vehicle's windshield. Here's a brief look at the evolution of the windscreen wiper and its linkage:

Early Beginnings

• 1903: The first recorded patent for an automatic windscreen wiper was filed by Mary Anderson, an American inventor. Her design consisted of a mechanical arm connected to a hand-operated lever, which would move a rubber blade across the windshield. While Anderson's design wasn't commercially successful at the time, it laid the foundation for future developments in wiper technology.

The Mechanism Evolves

• 1920s: The windscreen wiper linkage began to evolve, with several key innovations emerging in the automotive industry.
  • 1921: The first electrically powered wipers were introduced by Trico, a company founded in 1917 in the U.S. This was a significant step forward as it replaced the manual operation and allowed for more consistent wiper motion.
  • The linkage system was designed to convert the rotary motion of the motor into a back-and-forth motion for the wiper blades. This was initially done using a simple system of gears and rods.

Linkage Development

• 1930s-1940s: The linkage system saw further refinements. By this point, vehicles had become more standardized, and wipers had become a necessity for safety and driving comfort.
  • The linkage system typically involved a motor, a set of linkages, and a wiper arm. The motor would drive the linkage, which connected to the wiper arms to move the blades in a sweeping motion across the windshield.
  • During this time, many automakers began improving the efficiency of the motor and linkage system, using materials such as steel for durability and designing more compact mechanisms to save space.

Technological Advancements

• 1950s-1960s: The design of windscreen wiper linkages continued to evolve, with the introduction of two-speed motors and the ability to adjust the speed of the wipers based on driving conditions. Wipers were also given a park position, where they would rest at the bottom of the windshield when not in use.
  • Interval wipers were introduced in the 1960s, allowing drivers to set wipers to work intermittently. This was especially useful in light rain or mist.

Modern Systems

• 1970s-present: Modern windscreen wiper systems have become more sophisticated, incorporating features such as rain sensors that automatically adjust the wiper speed based on the amount of rainfall detected. Some systems now even have automatic parking that ensures wipers return to their resting position when turned off.

The linkage mechanism itself has become more compact and efficient over time. Advances in materials like plastic, carbon fiber, and composite materials have made the systems lighter and more resistant to wear.

Today

The modern windscreen wiper linkage is a highly refined system, typically consisting of:

• An electric motor driving a multi-linkage mechanism.
• Wiper arms that move across the windshield.
• Some systems even include variable intermittent wipers and rain sensors for automatic activation and speed adjustment.

In short, the development of windscreen wiper linkage has been driven by the need for safety, convenience, and reliability. From early hand-powered systems to today's sophisticated, sensor-driven wipers, the technology has continually improved to meet the needs of drivers in varying weather conditions.