At first glance, Car Wiper Blades look the same nowadays as they looked when Mary Anderson first invented them in 1903. Since then, there have been quite a number of developments along the way, for example Vacuum and later Electric Power overtaking hand cranks, new materials in the form of Silicone Wiper Blades, Rain Sensitive Controls etc.

Although, until the last few years, a passing glance at Car Wiper Blades could easily leave you with the impression that nothing much has changed. This all changed not long ago with the introduction of Flat Wiper Blades

Lack of space between the trailing edge of the bonnet and the windscreen, cost limitations, product reliability, aero-dynamic drag, image, pedestrian impact laws, have all forced vehicle designers & their counterparts in the component industry to invent something totally new. Finally there is an innovation that we can see; Flat Wiper Blades or Beam Wiper Blades as they’re often called within the manufacturing companies.

Committed projects by car makers, are under way to significantly cut back vehicle fuel consumption. This means windscreens are becoming more inclined, and this demands longer Wiper Blades, which therefore require more powerful motors & transmission systems, all with a reduced weight & occupying less space than previously.

Flat Wiper Blades have a lower profile than classic Car Wiper Blades, making them more aesthetically pleasing as well as ensuring they are aerodynamically much more effective, both in terms of reducing drag and improving contact with the windscreen, specially at higher speeds. Flat Wiper Blades don’t have joints that can seize or clog with ice and snow in freezing weather. This ensures a much safer and clearer wipe on those cold dark and dangerous frozen mornings. If you combine the technology of flat Wiper Blades with Silicone Wiper Blades, you have an excellent winter wiper blade, thanks to the jointless design & silicone’s low temperature flexibility and resistance to the solvents used to prevent screen wash freezing.

Most European manufacturers are specifying Flat Wiper Blades on all new models, and have been doing so for a few years now. At first motorists were faced with some horrible prices for replacing Flat Wiper Blades because there was no competition to drag the prices down to acceptable levels. However in the last two years, we’ve seen many competitors coming into the market place with Flat Wiper Blades both as replacements for the Original Equipment, and also as retrofits which allow owners of cars with classic Wiper Blades to upgrade the looks, Performance and safety of their car.

Perhaps the next important innovation will be the first car to be equipped with Silicone Wiper Blades as original equipment. The average working life of a rubber wiper blade is six months, although the average European driver will make his Wiper Blades last at least three times that. Silicone Wiper Blades typically last three to five times longer than rubber Wiper Blades, and can be bought at similar or slightly lower prices than premium rubber Wiper Blades.