History Of The Car Defroster (Defogger)

We all know that a frosted car windshield on a rainy or cold day is a route to uncomfortable and risky driving. Let's understand the history of car defrosters as it's one of the most important innovations!

By car&bike Team

1 mins read

Published on February 4, 2022

Highlights

Some of the trickiest days to drive are when it is raining or snowing, as the windshield can frost quickly. Thanks to the defroster feature in cars, you can have driving clarity even on such days. Don't you think that a car defroster is a life-easing feature? In that case, let's dig deeper into the history of this unique innovation! Photo Credit: pixabay.com Introduction to Car Defogger/Defroster In simplest terms, the car defroster is an innovation in vehicles that eliminates condensed water droplets, ice, and mist or fog from the windscreen. The primary motive of a car defogger is to enhance visibility and tackle handling these weather elements. You'll find extensive application from the car defogger during the monsoon and winter seasons. Through removing ice from your windshield, it'll ensure that you have a clear view of the road for a safe driving experience. Most cars have defoggers for both the front and rear windscreens. Especially for locations with heavy rainfall and harsh winters, the defogger is one of the critical innovations. Photo Credit: unsplash.com The History of Car Defrosters The genesis of a car defogger is a pretty interesting one. Even before manufacturers recognized the innovation and importance of this feature, the drivers always faced difficulties in driving during rainy and chilly climatic conditions. It is also worth mentioning that the ice would freeze over the windscreen in the world's colder regions. Regardless of the snow or rain, it was challenging to attain clear visibility and drive safely with a frosted windscreen. Many manufacturers found a way around this problem by redirecting warm air from the heater and AC unit through the vents to the windscreen. However, the rear windscreen still had issues with clear visibility. The German inventor and engineer Heinz Kunert noticed this mass-wide problem. After a series of in-depth research, Kunert developed a solution that can prevent ice/mist/fog/water droplets from forming on the windscreen. Kunert invented the defogger to solve the problem. The technology behind the defogger is a pretty simple yet effective one. The rear windscreen has fibres embedded in them. The defroster works by pushing electrical current through these fibres. The invention of the car defroster was quite significant. Since its development in the 1950s, most cars have been equipped with this innovative feature. The rear defoggers made sure that driving was more comfortable and safe! You should also know that the 1935 Lincoln was one of the first cars to sport the car defroster! Photo Credit: www.istockphoto.com This onboard feature on every car is critical to ensure a safe experience during the winter and rainy seasons. We hope you enjoyed demystifying the history of these extraordinary car inventions with us!