In today’s automotive industry, design, technology, materials, and manufacturing capabilities evolve at a far faster rate than ten or twenty years ago. What was once considered cutting edge or a luxury feature often becomes standard equipment and outdated rather quickly. One piece of equipment that was once a luxury item but is now required for safety is the windshield. Windshields have an interesting history, and they function in more ways than merely blocking the wind. Here is a write-up about windshields, their history, and modern technology.
From Luxury to a Safety Standard
The first successful automobile was introduced in 1893 by Charles Edgar and Frank Duryea. Around 1900, automobiles began to gain traction as a viable form of transportation. The automobiles from that time had a minimal resemblance to what we see today. For instance, those vehicles did not come with windshields unless the buyer optioned it. Windshields were considered a luxury item, and they increased the cost of the vehicle. Additionally, the windshields themselves were very different from what we have today. At the time, the windshield was just a simple thin piece of glass that could be folded away. By 1915, Oldsmobile made the windshield standard equipment on their products. Today, windshields are a required piece of safety equipment.
An Accident Lead to Shatterproof Windshield Glass
After windshields started appearing on automobiles, the technology had another advancement. At first, windshield glass only deflected wind away from a vehicle occupant. It did nothing to protect passengers from shattered glass, rocks, debris, or road hazards. In 1903, French Chemist Edouar Benedictus accidentally discovered shatterproof glass. The chemist dropped a flask of dried collodion film and realized that, despite cracking, the material remained intact. Six years later, Benedictus received the very first patent for safety glass. By the 1920’s, automotive manufacturers started using shatterproof safety glass and laminated glass in windshields. This new technology provided drivers and passengers with additional safety in the event of an accident.
Mary Anderson
Windshields made traveling in automobiles much safer, but they also became another maintenance item. Early on, windshields were able to be folded once they were dirty, but as automotive transportation became more common, a solution was needed to keep them clean and transparent. The invention came from Mary Anderson and would later be known as a windshield wiper. Mary Anderson received the very first patent for a window cleaning device on November 10, 1903.
Airbags and Windshields
Airbags are another safety feature that helped to advance the automotive industry. Since the introduction of airbags, the technology has saved countless lives and minimized the severity of many auto accident injuries. Many people are not aware that airbags actually use windshields to operate correctly. Whenever an airbag is deployed, windshields help direct the airbags to the correct position. Without the windshield, the airbag would deploy but it would not effectively protect the vehicle’s driver or passenger. That being said, it is extremely important to have windshield glass installed correctly whenever it is replaced.
Windshield Replacement and Repair Claims
Did you know that windshield replacements and repairs account for almost thirty percent of auto insurance claims? Cracks on the edges of windshields represent between seventy and eighty percent of those claims. Since windshields are exposed to different environments, weather, and accidents, the chances of needing a repair or replacement are high. If you notice a crack or chip on your windshield, don’t wait to have it repaired. Get it addressed as soon as possible so that your safety and your vehicle's structural integrity are not compromised. Click here to get a free estimate from Glass Inc.
ADAS Recalibration Services
Windshields have come a long way since they were first used on automobiles. Today, they not only protect passengers, but they also work with modern safety and driver assistance technologies. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) use sensors that are typically behind the windshield glass, and they help drivers with directions, avoiding accidents and road hazards. Whenever a vehicle with these systems needs a windshield replacement or repair, the ADAS also needs to be recalibrated. If your car has these technologies and the glass is getting replaced, make sure that the glass shop has the equipment and experience to recalibrate your vehicle’s ADAS systems.
Glass Inc. has been serving the Atlanta metro area and greater Atlanta with windshield replacement and repair since 1956. We are your best choice when it comes to automotive replacement glass and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) recalibration services. If you need a windshield replacement or repair, speak with our office today!
#Windshields #WindshieldReplacement #WindshieldRepair #ADAS #GlassInc
Read more articles
When you think about it, storefront windows are one of the most important architectural features of any public-facing company's building.
When you think about it, storefront windows are one of the most important architectural features of any public-facing company's building.
When you think about it, storefront windows are one of the most important architectural features of any public-facing company's building.
