Indeed, the auto industry has been dominated by men. But there have been female automotive pioneers for quite a while. Indeed, General Motors’ current CEO is Mary Barra. Click the image to read more about her.
Just a couple of weeks ago, we looked at Can We Really Afford Our Cars? Today’s post puts the auto industry in perspective.
An AAA Look at Female Automotive Pioneers
The American Automobile Association (AAA) represents the largest consumer-oriented auto group. Recently, it examined the role of women in the history of the U.S. industry. It may surprise you to learn that female innovators go back more than 125 years.
As Sarah Hopkins reports for the AAA:
“Discover the history behind the world’s first road trip. See the evolution of the windshield wiper, and more. With these women in auto history. For over a century, cars and automobiles stereotypically show up as a male pastime. But historically, that’s simply not the case. Women’s involvement in transportation innovation goes back to the invention of the wheel. In fact, women invented many of the gadgets and gizmos in your car and on the road.”
“Automotive history includes fascinating stories about women with big ideas and bad luck with patents. No matter how much they might have been overlooked in their time, their innovations and big ideas shape the way we drive to this day. From the fabulously famous to the frequently forgotten, join us in celebrating these female auto pioneers. Click through this slide show to explore the stories and discoveries of the most important women in automotive history.”
To begin, look at the story of Bertha Benz.
Now, click this link to access the full slide show. (Use the right arrow that appears on the Benz slide.)
I learned something new with this article as I didn’t know who “Bertha Benz” was and that the Benz Motorwagen was the world’s first automobile. I had previously thought it was Ford with the Model-T.
Additionally, thank goodness Mary Anderson invented the early version of Windshield wipers. I don’t know how we would drive today without it. I know I have been caught in many storms, where I could barely see ahead of me on the road, and my windshield wipers saved me.