The Legal Battle of Robert Kearns, Who Invented the Intermittent Windshield Wiper, vs. Ford Motor Company

In 1963, Robert Kearns, an engineer with a PhD, invented the intermittent windshield wiper. Inspired by the human eye—which blinks only when necessary rather than staying open or closed—Kearns designed a system that allowed wipers to pause between swipes, a feature that didn't exist in the vacuum-powered or constant-motion wipers of the time.

He installed the device in his Ford Galaxie and demonstrated it to Ford executives. Ford expressed interest, and Kearns shared his schematics and prototypes, believing they were negotiating a licensing deal or a partnership to manufacture the parts.

Instead of licensing the technology, Ford (and eventually the rest of the “Big Three”) rejected Kearns’ proposal. However, in 1969, Ford introduced its own intermittent wiper system in its Mercury line. Upon inspecting the Ford part, Kearns discovered it was an exact copy of his patented design, utilizing the same transistor-capacitor timing circuit.

Kearns filed suit against Ford in 1978. The litigation was grueling and took a massive toll on his life. Ford argued that Kearns’ patent was invalid because it was “obvious,” it used standard electronic components (off-the-shelf resistors and capacitors). Kearns successfully argued that while the parts were standard, the combination of those parts to create a new, functional system was a “flash of genius” that was not obvious to others at the time.

The stress of the 12-year battle led to a mental breakdown and the dissolution of Kearns’ marriage. He eventually fired several law firms and represented himself for much of the trial to ensure his principles weren't compromised for a quick settlement.

Robert Kearns’ patents

In 1990, a jury found that Ford had indeed infringed on Kearns’ patents. While Kearns had originally sought over $300 million (based on a per-unit royalty for every car sold), the court awarded him $5.2 million. To avoid further appeals and another round of litigation, Ford eventually paid Kearns a total of $10.2 million.

Following the Ford case, Kearns successfully sued Chrysler, winning an additional $18.7 million in 1992. Despite his financial victories, Kearns remained bitter that he was never allowed to manufacture the wipers himself as he had originally intended. He died in 2005 from Alzheimer’s and brain cancer.

Unique Portraits of the Sámi People by Roche/Bonaparte From the 19th Century

In 1884, Prince Roland Bonaparte led an anthropological expedition to Northern Norway (Finnmark) and Sweden to document the Sámi people. The majority of the photography for this project was executed by his expedition photographer, G. Roche.

Unlike contemporary photographers who captured candid lifestyle shots, Roche and Bonaparte used the “en face” (frontal) and profile formula. This was a standardized, quasi-scientific method designed to document physical traits.

The collection includes over 100 portraits of Sámi individuals. Many of the subjects are identified by name in the archives, such as Jol Andersen (a Sea Sámi man from Finnmark), Anna Hurri, and Niels Larsen Pilto.

Subjects often wear traditional gákti (Sámi clothing) but are placed against neutral backgrounds or within rigid frames. Some portraits even include “number plates” or height scales, reflecting the era’s obsession with racial categorization.

While the portraits are the most famous, the expedition also captured Sámi dwellings (lavvu), boats, and the Arctic landscape, providing a broader context of 1880s Northern Norway.

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Jane Birkin: The Eternal Muse of French Chic

Jane Birkin (1946–2023) was a quintessential icon of the 1960s and ’70s, whose effortless blend of British “cool” and French “chic” redefined global style.

Born in London but adopted by Paris, Birkin became a sensation through her artistic and personal partnership with Serge Gainsbourg, most notably on the provocative duet “Je t’aime... moi non plus.” Beyond her breathy vocals and her roles in cult films like Blow-Up and La Piscine, her influence on fashion remains unparalleled, her name is forever linked to the legendary Hermès Birkin bag, which was famously designed after a chance encounter on an airplane.

With her signature bangs, basket bags, and bohemian spirit, Jane Birkin embodied a timeless, “undone” elegance that continues to inspire designers and muses across the world today. Take a look at these vintage photos to see portraits of a young Jane Birkin in the 1960s and 1970s.

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The 1950 Jaguar Mark V: A Masterpiece of British Post-War Luxury

The 1950 Jaguar Mark V Drophead Coupe stands as one of the most elegant expressions of post-war British luxury, seamlessly blending pre-war traditional styling with refined engineering.

Released during a pivotal transition for Jaguar, the Mark V featured the iconic upright chrome grille and separate headlamps that echoed the classic era, yet it was the first Jaguar to utilize an independent front suspension and hydraulic brakes. The Drophead Coupe (DHC) variant was particularly prized for its sophisticated three-position soft top, which could be fully closed, fully retracted, or kept in the “de ville” position for a semi-open driving experience.

With its sweeping fenders, opulent leather interior, and polished walnut dashboard, the Mark V DHC remains a quintessential collector’s piece, embodying the grace and “stiff upper lip” sophistication of early 1950s motoring.

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40 Amazing Portraits of Alice Cooper in the 1970s

Alice Cooper (born Vincent Damon Furnier; February 4, 1948) is an American singer and songwriter. With a career spanning more than five decades, Cooper is known for his raspy singing voice and theatrical stage shows that feature numerous props and illusions. He is considered by music journalists and peers to be “The Godfather of Shock Rock.”

Before he was a solo artist, Alice Cooper was the name of a five-piece band consisting of Vince Furnier (vocals), Glen Buxton, Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway, and Neal Smith. After moving to Detroit, they found success with the 1971 hit “I’m Eighteen” and the 1972 anthem “School’s Out.” Their 1973 album Billion Dollar Babies hit #1 in both the US and UK, featuring a tour that broke box-office records previously held by the Rolling Stones. Their live shows became legendary for featuring guillotines, electric chairs, fake blood, and live boa constrictors.

The original band split in 1975, and lead singer Vince Furnier legally changed his name to Alice Cooper to launch a solo career. Landmark concept album Welcome to My Nightmare (1975) and its massive stage production solidified his status as a theatrical icon. Later in the decade, Cooper experimented with softer, more mainstream ballads like “Only Women Bleed” and “You and Me.” By the late 1970s, Cooper’s heavy alcoholism led to his hospitalization, an experience he chronicled in the 1978 album From the Inside.

Cooper became a household name, making surreal guest appearances on TV shows like The Muppet Show and The Snoop Sisters. The original band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011 for their 1970s contributions.

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Two American Businessmen Destroy a Japanese-Made Car, 1982

This image captures a 1982 protest event in northern Indiana where two businessmen, Jim Coleman and Charlie Cobb, publicly smashed a Japanese-made car to protest the influx of Japanese imports and the resulting economic hardship for American auto workers.

The event was a charity fundraiser sponsored by local steelworkers’ union leaders. For a dollar per swing, attendees could take a turn hitting the car with a sledgehammer. The money raised was then used to help the families of laid-off workers in the economically hard-hit steelmaking region. The signs for “Radio Shack” and “Hoosier State Bank” visible in the background indicate the local setting where the event took place.

Jackie Stoloff: The Quintessential Muse of 1950s High Fashion

Jacqueline “Jackie” Stoloff was a celebrated model in the high-fashion world of the late 1940s and early ’50s, epitomizing the era’s transition from post-war elegance to the spirited “Youthquake” movement.

Renowned for her striking bone structure and effortless poise, Stoloff was a frequent presence in the pages of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, often working with legendary photographers such as Richard Avedon, Georges Saad and Philippe Pottier. She was more than just a model, she was considered a muse who could embody both the sophisticated “New Look” couture and the emerging, more relaxed styles of mid-century modernism.

Her ability to project a sense of quiet intelligence and refined grace made her one of the most sought-after faces of her generation, leaving an indelible mark on the visual history of 20th-century fashion.

Jackie Stoloff wearing feathered hat by Jacques Fath, photo by Willy Maywald, 1950

Jackie Stoloff wearing wide brimmed black horsehair hat broken by four cross folds evoking a windmill by Caroline Reboux, photo by Philippe Pottier, 1950

Jackie Stoloff in a finely tailored coat-dress by Jacques Fath, photo by Seeberger, Vogue, Paris, November 1950

Jackie Stoloff in black silk crêpe dress printed with large blue butterflies, by Jeanne Paquin, photo by Georges Saad, 1950

Jackie Stoloff in black-and-green pin-checked dress worn nunder a belted tunic jacket by Jean Dessès, photo by Jean Moral, Paris, Harper's Bazaar UK, October 1950

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