Here at Memphis Auto Glass, we highly enjoy educating the population about all things that have to do with auto glass. Many people know just the bare essentials when it comes to their auto glass. They know when it needs to get repaired, they know when it may need to be replaced and they know where to go to get this done. The one thing that many people do not know is the history of auto glass. Our professional auto glass technicians would like to take some time to educate you on the history of auto glass.
The first set of windshields was made from any basic glass. This was the same type of glass that was used in windows at a home. Windshields then started to change all due to Henry Ford. He decided that auto glass needed to be much safer than it was. First, they just started to harden the glass that they already had. They did no real changes to it. By hardening it a little it was still able to easily break, but it would break into much larger pieces that were not as harmful as they were before.
Around 1920, a major advancement occurred. Henry Ford started using the French technology of glass laminating. This is when you sandwich a piece of thin plastic between two pieces of tough glass. By doing this, it will not be able to shatter into many pieces. Instead, if the glass is hit it will simply spider web, but the glass will still stay in one piece. This type of glass prevented many injuries from occurring. Within ten years, every Ford vehicle has laminated glass used as its windshield. This was a major advancement and really changed the world of auto glass forever.
Another advancement in auto glass technology is who repairs and installs it. Before, auto glass would be repaired or replaced by whoever felt like doing it. It did not really take any certified person to do it. Today, all auto glass installers are trained and take classes on how to do things properly. This was important because there are proper ways to install auto glass so that it stays in place and does not injure the people inside of the vehicle. If it were not bonded and sealed properly then the windshield might start to leak water into your car. It may also cause more damage than not having one at all.
Now you know just a little bit more information on why windshields were created and how they have evolved over the years. Now, when you go to an auto glass shop to get your windshield replaced or repaired, you will know why these companies are even running. You will also know to look to make sure that all of their technicians are certified. If they are not then it means that they are just anybody off the street doing a job just like you would.
