Name: Women who changed driving forever
Uploaded: 2025-10-22T19:16:25.715Z
Duration: 1 min 36 s
Description: Most people think cars were shaped by men. But many of the features keeping you safe and comfortable behind the wheel today were actually invented by women.

Most people think cars were shaped by men. But many of the features keeping you safe and comfortable behind the wheel today were actually invented by women.

Several features that are now standard in vehicles, such as car heaters, lane markings, and turn signals, were invented or popularized by women. Margaret Wilcox developed the first car heater in 1893, while Dr. Jim McHarrow introduced the concept of painted lane markings in 1917 to improve road safety. Berta Benz demonstrated the practicality of long-distance driving in 1888, Florence Lawrence invented the first turn signals in 1909, and Doris Leavitt promoted the use of mirrors for rear visibility before they became standard. These contributions have had a lasting impact on how people drive today.

Women who changed driving forever

Did you know that many of the features that make driving safe and comfortable today were in fact invented by women? Feeling cozy in your car? You can thank Margaret Wilcox. Way back in 1893, before modern cars even existed, she figured out how to use engine heat to warm up the car. No more foggy windows, these white lines keeping you safely in your lane. Thank Dr. Jim McHarrow. After kneeling crashing in 1917, she came up with the idea of painting a line down the road. Today, these lines are everywhere. Meet Berta Benz. She was not only the wife of Carl Benz, but also the world's first true long-distance driver. In 1888, she drove nearly 100 kilometers with her two sons. Her journey proved that her husband's patented motor wagon was a viable means of transport. Unturned signals. Before Florence Lawrence's invention in 1909, drivers literally had to stick out their arm. Her idea made signaling so much easier and way safer for everyone. Before Ford made rear-view mirrors standard in 1927, Doris Leavitt told women drivers, Carry a hand mirror to see behind you. So the next time you adjust your heater or check your mirror, remember, women literally change the way we drive.

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