HORSEPOWER & SASS

The first windshield wiper was invented by someone who blinked aggressively at rain. Innovation: mostly frustration.

✗ FAKE
Windshield wipers were not invented by someone blinking at rain. Mary Anderson patented a hand-operated wiper in 1903, and powered versions followed later.

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Porsche once tried to make a car powered by pure confidence. It still stalled on humility.The first car to reach 300 km/h did it out of embarrassment. Shame is surprisingly aerodynamic.The earliest airbags were filled with whipped cream. Safety… but make it dessert.The first car to have four-wheel drive was invented for shopping. Because nothing says “adventure” like groceries.The first tunnel was built so cars could avoid eye contact with mountains. Engineering is mostly avoidance.Airbags reduce the risk of death in a head-on collision by 30% — your car’s puffiest safety hug.See all Horsepower & Sass facts →

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