Windshields are essential to modern cars, so it might come as a surprise that the earliest automobiles didn’t have windshields at all. Today, this would be a huge grievance for FB Glass in Rochester, NY, which specializes in car windshields. Here, their auto glass repair experts share five fun facts about windshields that their customers probably don’t know.

5 Fun Facts About Windshields From Auto Glass Repair Experts

The First Windshield Was Created in 1904

This automobile staple did not come into use until 1904—probably after drivers became fed up with removing gnats from their teeth and debris from their hair after a long trip!

The First Windshields Looked Like Residential Windows

The first car windshield looked similar to the windows you find in homes. They were horizontally divided, so when a driver needed to clean their car, the windows could be folded down. Obviously, this presented a major safety concern, leading to the use of laminated glass in 1919.

Auto Windshields Are Laminated

There’s a reason why your windshield is unlikely to shatter into a million pieces upon impact. To minimize damage and keep drivers safe, car windshields feature laminated glass. If your windshield is shattered, this laminate—a flexible layer of membrane between two layers of glass—will keep the glass together.

Tempered Glass Minimizes Shards

In the event of an accident, windshield designers use tempered glass to reduce the risk of injury from glass shards. Tempered glass is exposed to high levels of heat and made to cool quickly, a process that fortifies the glass and encourages it to break into tiny fragments when damaged.

High-Tech Windshields Are Here

Automobile manufacturers have come a long way since the first windshield. Many designs now offer high-tech features such as night-vision cameras to make driving in the dark easier and safer. Another popular tech upgrade is windshields that project information across the “screen,” making tasks such as navigating with a GPS and traffic updates an interactive experience.

Do you need a new windshield for your vehicle? FB Glass is Rochester’s number one source for auto glass and heavy equipment. They specialize in auto glass repair and replacement, as well as fun historical facts about windshields. Learn more about their services online or call (585) 441-1209 to schedule an appointment.