Alabama native Mary Anderson is credited with inventing the first operational windshield wiper. In her November 10th, 1903, patent, she called her invention a window-cleaning device for electric cars and other vehicles. Although her version of the device was never put into production, it closely resembles the windshield wiper found on many early car models. Mary’s family built the infamous Fairmont Apartment building Birmingham.
Photos courtesy of: Alabama Mosaic – Birmingham Public Library, Getty Images