In 1967, Robert Kearns patented a windshield wiper that paused between sweeps; Ford later used the idea, and a jury awarded him $10.2 million in 1990

In the 1960s, inventor Robert W. Kearns developed a groundbreaking windshield wiper system featuring intermittent operation. After Ford appropriated his design without permission, Kearns found himself embroiled in an arduous legal fight to reclaim ownership. He endured various personal and financial hardships but triumphed in 1990 with a monumental $10.2 million judgment against Ford. Kearns' journey highlights the immense struggles inventors face in safeguarding their creations.