The first cars did not have windshields or the popularly called windshield. At the time, it was actually much more important to invent a motor-driven vehicle, and glass was considered an accessory.
The initial windshields were very small, in fact more like a visual addition, as it did not shield the driver and other passengers from anything. Only later did it become apparent how important that part of the car is because it protects against dust and other small particles that are generated in traffic due to speed and wind, but also from larger pieces that can fall off from other vehicles in traffic.
The first windshields were made of ordinary glass. However, ordinary glass can be easily cracked, that is, it gives almost no resistance when struck, and so often there were additional injuries due to glass during the collision. Back in the old days, so sometime in the 20s, litigation between carmakers was also common because of injuries caused by the burst of the driver's car. In the end, it became clear that something needed to be done in this direction in order to reduce the number of injuries due to brittle glass.
The inventor of the car, Henry
Ford, the first to use French glass laminating technology in 1919. The laminating process means gluing two pieces of glass on top of one another, with a layer of cellulose or plastic between them. This way, when the glass breaks, the spray is already left in one piece, which is very practical and, above all, much safer. Henry Ford made bridesmaids for his vehicles through this process and put them on all made from 1919 to 1929.
In all countries today, the law stipulates the use of multi-layer windshields that do not scatter when struck by a certain force. Today, they are actually one of the key factors in traffic safety when it comes to collisions, because together with the roof construction of the vehicle, they protect the driver and all other passengers the most.
As the automotive industry evolved, so did the technology of laminating glass, so most of today's windscreens are made of two or more layers of glass that are interconnected by PVB or EVA film, which is either transparent or in some cases colored. Laminated glass is very safe, and it is safer to have multiple layers of glass and foil, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Interestingly, there is a maximum size of glass that can be laminated, which is 2,2 meters by 4,05 meters.
In order for the windshield to serve its purpose, it is necessary to take good care of it. There are various products on the market, such as liquids, gels, creams, foams, and everyone should choose for themselves what is best for them. Under the hood is a tank of liquid for the windshield, which is connected to the nozzles that spray water and clean the glass with the help of wipers. A special gloss and cleaning agent can be put into the liquid, and cleaning can also be done manually, both on the windshield of the car, and on the rear and all other windows.
It is especially necessary to pay attention to the windshield in winter, when it freezes. Namely, it has been proven that there is a lot of damage to the windows at this time of year, due to the fact that drivers are trying to remove ice deposits with the most unusual items - CD boxes, spikes, credit cards and not to mention. Some also pour a mixture of water and wine vinegar over the glass in the hope that such ice will be easier to remove later. However, this mixture corrodes the glass.
So the windshield is part of the car that protects us and therefore we need to take care of it properly.
