Intermittent Wipers: Dad's Basement Invention, Big Three Theft, Flash of Genius
About this episode
Timothy Kearns shares his family's remarkable story tied to the invention of the intermittent windshield wiper. His father, inspired by an accident on his wedding night, developed the technology that revolutionized wipers. The episode dives into the challenges of patenting the idea, the ensuing legal battles with major automakers, and the impact on patent law. Tim also discusses his automotive journey, from his first cars to his current involvement in the Porsche community, and reflects on the importance of family and perseverance in the face of adversity.
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Every modern car has intermittent windshield wipers. Timothy Kearns' father, Dr. Robert Kearns, invented them in a Detroit basement—then spent decades fighting the automakers who copied his design.
This isn't your typical first-car story. This is about the invention that changed every car on the road, the legal battle that became the film *Flash of Genius*, and what it's like growing up as the son of a man fighting Ford and Chrysler in court.
Timothy's perspective on automotive history is unique: he watched his father's invention get stolen, fought over, and eventually vindicated in one of the largest individual patent settlements in automotive history. But at what cost?
In this episode, Timothy shares:
- How his father invented the intermittent windshield wiper in a Detroit basement
- What the early prototypes looked like (surprisingly crude for something so revolutionary)
- The moment Ford and Chrysler started using the technology without permission
- Why major automakers thought they could get away with copying a small inventor
- The decades-long legal battle that consumed his father's life
- How *Flash of Genius* (the movie) got some things right—and what they changed
- What the patent victory meant financially, emotionally, and historically
- The automotive innovation lesson that every backyard tinkerer should understand
There's one detail about the settlement that Timothy says the movie left out—and it changes how you think about winning a patent battle against the giants.
Related episodes:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/15009054-delorean-family-story-kat-delorean-growing-up-with-automotive-icon-father
https://buzzsprout.com/2316026/episodes/17645503-mustang-memories-sema-show-adventures-automotive-photographer-rob-s-first-cars-to-car-culture-journey
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Quickjack
"...I was waiting for a delivery, of course, for some parts, and I did over the weekend order a, I think it's by a company called Quickjack, because I have a low, my garage roof is not as high as I would like..."
Quickjack makes special lifts that help you raise your car off the ground, so you can work on it more easily, especially if you don't have a lot of space.
Quickjack is a company that manufactures portable car lifts, designed to make it easier to lift vehicles for maintenance and repairs, especially in spaces with low ceilings.
car lift
"...I think it's by a company called Quickjack, because I have a low, my garage roof is not as high as I would like..."
A car lift is a tool that helps you lift your car up so you can see and work on the parts underneath it without having to crawl on the ground.
A car lift is a device used to raise a vehicle off the ground, allowing for easier access to the underside of the car for maintenance or repairs.
Grave Digger
"Maybe our Grave Digger is available. Yeah, absolutely. I could totally see you in that."
Grave Digger is a well-known monster truck that performs in shows and events. It's famous for its unique look and exciting stunts, making it popular with families and fans.
Grave Digger is one of the most famous monster trucks, known for its iconic design and performances in monster truck shows. It has a strong fan following and is often considered a family-friendly entertainment option.
vacuum carburation
"...they were having a hard time with vacuum carburation. So they wanted to make some electronic components..."
Vacuum carburation is a way that older cars mixed fuel with air to make the engine run. It uses air pressure to pull the fuel into the engine, which was a common method before modern fuel systems were invented.
Vacuum carburation refers to a type of carburetor that uses vacuum pressure to draw fuel into the engine. This method was common in older vehicles before fuel injection systems became prevalent.
intermittent windshield wiper electronic control
"...he developed the intermittent windshield wiper electronic control. So interesting."
This is a system that makes windshield wipers work only when needed, instead of all the time. It helps drivers see better during light rain by allowing the wipers to pause between wipes.
The intermittent windshield wiper electronic control is a system that allows windshield wipers to operate at variable intervals rather than continuously. This technology improves visibility during light rain or mist.
Mercury Cougar
"Well, the first car was actually a 67 Cougar that my dad bought."
The Mercury Cougar is a car that was made by the Mercury brand. The 1967 version was the first model and was known for being stylish and fun to drive.
The Mercury Cougar was a personal luxury car produced by Ford's Mercury division, known for its stylish design and performance. The 1967 model marked the first generation of the Cougar, which was based on the Ford Mustang platform.
Ford Mustang Mach 1
"the first car that I felt was my car that I paid for was a 71 Mach 1."
The Ford Mustang Mach 1 is a special version of the Ford Mustang that was known for being fast and powerful. The 1971 model had a cool design and was loved by many car fans.
The Ford Mustang Mach 1 is a high-performance variant of the Ford Mustang, first introduced in 1969. The 1971 model featured a more aggressive design and powerful engine options, making it a popular choice among muscle car enthusiasts.
Hurst Shifter
"...351 Cleveland T10 four-speed Hurst Shifter, all the drag package. I didn't know it had a drag package until after I got it."
A Hurst Shifter is a special gear shifter that helps drivers change gears more easily and quickly. It's often used in performance cars to improve driving experience.
A Hurst Shifter is a type of aftermarket manual transmission shifter known for its precision and performance. It allows for quicker and more accurate gear changes, making it popular among car enthusiasts.
351 Cleveland
"...351 Cleveland T10 four-speed Hurst Shifter, all the drag package. I didn't know it had a drag package until after I got it."
The 351 Cleveland is a powerful engine made by Ford that was used in many cars. It's known for being strong and delivering good performance, especially in sports and muscle cars.
The 351 Cleveland is a V8 engine produced by Ford, known for its performance and power. It was popular in muscle cars during the 1970s and is recognized for its high output and torque.
drag package
"...all the drag package. I didn't know it had a drag package until after I got it. It was an amazing car."
A drag package is a collection of upgrades that make a car faster for racing. These changes help the car accelerate better and perform well on a drag strip.
A drag package refers to a set of performance enhancements and modifications designed to improve a car's acceleration and speed for drag racing. This can include upgrades to the engine, transmission, suspension, and tires.
Ford Pinto
"So it became a pinto. Yeah. Before we, and there's obviously lots of good stories about pentas in the news, right?"
The Ford Pinto is a small car that was made in the 1970s. It is known for having some safety problems that caused fires in accidents, especially during a time when gas was very expensive.
The Ford Pinto was a subcompact car produced by Ford from 1971 to 1980. It became infamous for its safety issues, particularly regarding fuel tank design, which led to fires in rear-end collisions during the 1970s gas crisis.
Ford Mustang
"...the most part. You did tell us thinking about the Mustang and I love this song that you picked out."
The Ford Mustang is a famous car that many people love because it's fast and looks cool. It was first made in the 1960s and has become a symbol of American cars, often talked about in music and movies.
The Ford Mustang is an iconic American muscle car that was first introduced in 1964. Known for its powerful performance and distinctive design, the Mustang has become a symbol of freedom and rebellion in automotive culture, making it a popular topic in discussions about classic cars and American automotive history.
Deloreans
"Oh yeah. And even visit John DeLorean's grave. So there you go."
The DeLorean DMC-12 is a special car known for its unusual doors that open upwards and its shiny metal body. It became really famous because it was used in the 'Back to the Future' movies, which makes it a fun topic for car lovers.
The DeLorean DMC-12 is a sports car that became famous for its unique gull-wing doors and stainless steel body. Produced in the early 1980s, it gained iconic status after being featured in the 'Back to the Future' movie franchise, making it a popular subject of nostalgia and automotive discussions.
John DeLorean
"...even visit John DeLorean's grave. So there you go. Which has a really wonderful tombstone of..."
John DeLorean was a car designer and businessman who started his own car company. He is best known for making a unique car called the DeLorean DMC-12, which has doors that open upwards like wings.
John DeLorean was an American engineer and automobile executive known for founding the DeLorean Motor Company and creating the iconic DeLorean DMC-12 sports car, which became famous for its distinctive gull-wing doors and its role in the 'Back to the Future' film series.
differential
"just this little ball of a differential left between them."
A differential is a part of a car that helps the wheels turn at different speeds, which is important when going around corners.
A differential is a mechanical component that allows the wheels to rotate at different speeds, especially important during turns. It helps manage torque and traction between the wheels.
quarter mile drag cars
"They get used for quarter mile drag cars, right?"
Quarter mile drag cars are cars built to race on a straight track that is a quarter of a mile long. They are made to go really fast in a straight line.
Quarter mile drag cars are specially modified vehicles designed for drag racing, where they compete to see who can cover a quarter mile distance the fastest. These cars often have powerful engines and lightweight designs.
BMW 2002
"Mine just happened to turn into a faster version of an import car. It was a BMW 2002. Yeah. And that was really like the first BMW, first kind of, wasn't the first BMW in the U.S. was it?"
The BMW 2002 is a small car made by BMW that became popular in the late 1960s and 1970s. It's known for being fun to drive and helped BMW become well-known in the United States.
The BMW 2002 is a compact car that was produced by BMW from 1968 to 1976. It is known for its sporty handling and is considered one of the first 'sport compact' cars, helping to establish BMW's reputation in the U.S. market.
BMW 3 Series
"And then the three series followed, right? Which really is the one everybody else remembers."
The BMW 3 Series is a popular car made by BMW that has been around for many years. It's known for being fun to drive and is often remembered fondly by car fans.
The BMW 3 Series is a line of compact executive cars produced by BMW since 1975. It is known for its sporty handling and performance, making it a popular choice among driving enthusiasts.
Weber 40
"I put a Weber 40 on it. You know, that was kind of cool."
A Weber 40 is a special part that helps mix air and fuel for an engine, making it run better and faster. It's popular among car enthusiasts who want to improve their car's performance.
The Weber 40 is a type of carburetor known for its performance and tuning capabilities, often used in hot rod and performance applications. It allows for better air-fuel mixture control, which can enhance engine performance.
Ford Probe
"And this was at the time when Ford was just coming out with the Probe. And I thought, well, I'll buy a Probe, you know, a modern technology, all those things."
The Ford Probe is a sporty car made by Ford in the late 80s and 90s. It was designed to be fun to drive and had a modern look for its time.
The Ford Probe is a sports coupe that was produced by Ford from 1988 to 1997. It was designed to compete with other sporty vehicles of its time and is known for its sleek design and performance.
Porsche 944
"I saw at the local dealership of 944, normally aspirated."
The Porsche 944 is a sports car made by the German company Porsche. It was built in the 1980s and is known for being fun to drive.
The Porsche 944 is a sports car produced by Porsche from 1982 to 1991. It is known for its balanced handling and performance, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts.
normally aspirated
"I saw at the local dealership of 944, normally aspirated."
Normally aspirated means the engine gets air naturally from the environment without any extra help from devices like turbochargers. This can make the engine feel smoother when you drive.
Normally aspirated refers to an engine that relies on atmospheric pressure for air intake, as opposed to using a turbocharger or supercharger. This type of engine typically has a more linear power delivery.
Porsche Club
"So the two of us went off and took our 944s to the Porsche Club."
The Porsche Club is a group where people who love Porsche cars come together. They have events and activities to enjoy their cars and meet other fans.
The Porsche Club is an organization for Porsche enthusiasts that hosts events, drives, and gatherings to celebrate the brand and its vehicles. Members often share their passion for Porsche cars and participate in various activities together.
Porsche 911
"And nowadays you have a 93 911, which is a 964 model, which is air cooled."
The Porsche 911 (964) is a version of the famous Porsche sports car made between 1989 and 1994. It has a classic engine that doesn't use water for cooling, which is a key feature of many older Porsches.
The Porsche 911 (964) is a generation of the iconic 911 sports car produced from 1989 to 1994. It features a more modern design and technology compared to earlier models, while still retaining the classic air-cooled engine.
air cooled
"which is air cooled."
Air cooled means the engine uses air to keep it cool instead of water. This is how many older cars, like some Porsches, were designed.
Air-cooled engines use air to dissipate heat, rather than relying on a liquid coolant. This design was common in older vehicles, especially in classic Porsches, which are known for their distinctive sound and performance characteristics.
DEs
"And do you race that at Porsche events? At the DEs."
DEs stands for Driver Education events. These are special days at a racetrack where drivers can practice and learn how to drive better, usually with help from instructors.
DEs, or Driver Education events, are organized track days where drivers can learn and improve their driving skills in a controlled environment, often with instruction and feedback.
Bricklin SV-1
"Dennis's serial number 13, Bricklin. And he asked me to help him renovate it."
The Bricklin SV-1 is a rare car from the 1970s that has special doors that open up like wings. It's not very common, so people who like unique cars often talk about it.
The Bricklin SV-1 is a unique sports car produced in the 1970s, known for its distinctive design and safety features, including a fiberglass body and gull-wing doors. Although it had a short production run, it has gained a cult following among car enthusiasts, making it a noteworthy topic in discussions about rare and unusual vehicles.
Bricklin
"Dennis's serial number 13, Bricklin. And he asked me to help him renovate it."
The Bricklin is a unique car from Canada made in the 1970s. It has special doors that open upwards and was designed to be safe and fast.
The Bricklin is a Canadian sports car produced in the 1970s, known for its distinctive design and safety features, including gullwing doors. It was an attempt to create a high-performance vehicle with a focus on safety and innovation.
impact bumpers
"and like real impact bumpers and yeah, it was really designed to be a safety vehicle."
Impact bumpers are special parts of a car that help protect it during crashes. They are made to absorb the force of an impact, which helps keep the car and its passengers safer.
Impact bumpers are designed to absorb and dissipate energy during a collision, reducing damage to the vehicle and enhancing passenger safety. They are often made from durable materials to withstand impacts.
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