Haley MacMillan

I am home visiting my family this weekend so I went into our town library and talked with one of the librarians that was on staff at the time. She was a younger lady that seemed new to the library, she still was able to help me though. She directed me to a couple books, one of which was an autobiography of the lady I am researching, Mary Anderson. She also helped me with using the right terms to look up information regarding Mary Anderson as I told her I prefer to do research primarily online. This was helpful to talk with her as it just opened my eyes to other possibilities of research. I am hoping to find an online version of the autobiography so I can search specific details a little easier.

Mary Anderson was the inventor of the first ever windshield wiper. She got a patent for her invention in 1903 and by 1916 it became common to have windshield wipers on majority of the cars. After a visit to New York she noticed that the streetcar drivers had to open the windows of their cars in order to see out during stormy weather. She thought of a swinging arm device with a rubber blade that was operated inside the car from the driver using a lever. Mary Anderson grew up in Alabama. She was born in Greene County in 1866. In 1889 she moved to Birmingham, Alabama with her sister and widowed mother. In Birmingham she built the Fairmont Apartments on Highland Avenue.  Later she moved to Fresno, California where she operated a cattle ranch and vineyard until 1898.  If Mary Anderson were still around it would be such an honor to be able to interview her as she has caused so many other inventions to branch from this one idea.

I am excited to do research on an inspirational woman, whether from the past or the present!