by The automotive industry is a sphere where men have dominated. They were not only involved in car production but also drove them. However, in the last 10-15 years, the situation has changed dramatically. Today, many women can be found in automotive engineering. They work in marketing, create advertising campaigns to attract new customers, develop brands that meet modern consumer demands, and also hold managerial positions and develop various technologies. This business is far from simple, and Apple Watch often comes in handy: to keep track of meetings and be everywhere on time, perform calculations, correspond with clients, etc. By the way, on the website https://storeinua.com/categories/apple-watch-vzivani/ you can buy a band for Apple Watch.
Previously, women also worked in the automotive industry, but there were very few of them. Yet, despite everything, they made a significant contribution to this field. Some of their inventions are still used today.
Margaret Wilcox — the woman thanks to whom you don’t freeze in the car
Margaret Wilcox invented the first car heater: it was she who directed hot air from the engine to the feet. That is, thanks to her idea, driver comfort improved significantly — they no longer froze in the cold season. The woman received a patent for her invention in November 1893, and just two years later the heater was used in one of the American cars — the Cadillac brand.
Mary Anderson — thank her for car “wipers”
This might be a legend, or it might be true, we don’t know. But some sources have information that once in New York, while riding a bus, Mary Anderson saw how difficult it was for drivers in winter. They sometimes had to stop to clear the car’s windshield of snow. Just a year later (specifically in 1903), she developed a device that allowed cleaning the windshield without leaving the vehicle. Soon, the woman received a patent for 17 years.
Interestingly, the wipers of that time differed little from modern ones. The same levers on the outside of the glass, to which a rubber strip was attached.
Florence Lawrence — the inventor of car “turn signals”
It can be said right away that this person made a significant contribution to the development of automotive safety. In 1914, she developed a system of mechanical signals with which drivers were able to indicate their intention to turn. Yes, it was enough to press a button, and a flag would appear on the required side, warning other road users about the maneuver.
Interestingly, such “turn signals” were used for a long time. Only around the mid-1920s did bulbs and reflectors begin to appear on the flags. Soon, electric “turn signals” could be seen on car bodies.
By the way, Florence Lawrence is not only an automotive enthusiast but also an actress. She starred in many films and was quite famous in those days. She did not receive a patent for her invention, nor did she try to do so.
Stephanie Kwolek — what we owe to her
Kevlar is a very light and strong material used in automotive engineering. Body panels are made from it. It is also used for reinforcing engine and transmission drive belts, clutch discs, and tires. It is to Stephanie Kwolek that we owe the appearance of such a material.
It is worth mentioning other women as well. For example, Bertha Benz — the first person to travel a long distance in a car with an internal combustion engine. Thanks to Dorothy Levitt, cars got a rearview mirror. And the muffler was designed by El Dolores Jones.
Women have done (and still do) a lot for the development of the automotive industry. Their participation in production, management, and marketing not only improves company productivity but also contributes to creating a more inclusive and diverse work environment.
