WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 29: WINDSHIELD WIPERS

Profile America — Monday, October 29th.  Can you imagine having to reach outside to clear your car windshield when it rains or snows?  That's just what people had to do in the early days of the automobile.  A young woman from Alabama named Mary Anderson noticed this on a visit to New York City.  She promptly drew up plans for the first hand-operated windshield wiper and was granted a patent in 1903.  By 1916, such wipers were standard equipment on all automobiles and street cars.  Checking the condition of your wiper blades is one of the things everyone should do as winter weather approaches.  Keeping your car in good shape helps make driving safer.  Poor maintenance is thought to be a factor in many of the 10.8 million motor vehicle accidents across the nation each year.  You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources:  www.uspto.gov/news/pr/2002/02-16.jsp
               Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1245

Profile America is produced by the Center for New Media and Promotions of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button). 

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau