description Robert Kearns Overview
Robert William Kearns was an American engineer and inventor best known for developing and patenting an electronic intermittent windshield-wiper system. His U.S. Patent 3,351,836 was issued in 1967, and after automobile manufacturers used related technology, he pursued infringement cases including actions against Ford and Chrysler. A federal jury found Ford had unintentionally infringed in 1990, and Kearns later received an award in the Chrysler case.
His story is relevant to automotive engineering, patent ownership, and inventor litigation. [Smithsonian Institution](https://sova.si.edu/record/nmah.ac.1406)
help Robert Kearns FAQ
What did Robert Kearns invent?
Robert William Kearns invented the intermittent windshield wiper system, which lets a driver set pauses between wipes during light rain or mist. The mechanism became standard in many automobiles from the late twentieth century onward.
When did Robert Kearns patent the intermittent wiper?
Kearns obtained patents for the intermittent windshield wiper beginning in 1967. His later patent portfolio included US Patent 3,582,747, issued in 1971.
Which automakers did Robert Kearns sue?
Kearns pursued patent cases against Ford and Chrysler, among other automakers. Ford settled in 1990 for 10.2 million dollars, and a 1992 jury verdict ordered Chrysler to pay 11.3 million dollars. [Los Angeles Times](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-06-12-fi-348-story.html)
Is Robert Kearns portrayed in a film?
Yes. The 2008 biographical drama Flash of Genius stars Greg Kinnear as Kearns and follows his legal fight with the automobile industry. Marc Abraham directed the film.
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