Windshield facts for kids
The windshield (called a windscreen in some places like the UK) is the front window of a vehicle. It helps drivers see the road clearly. It also keeps people inside safe from the weather. You can find windshields on many vehicles. These include cars, buses, motorbikes, aircraft, and trams.
Windshields on cars and planes protect against wind. They also stop flying things like dust, small rocks, and insects. Motorbike windshields mainly block the wind for the rider. They don't offer as much protection as car windshields.
Most modern windshields are made from a special material. It's called laminated safety glass. This glass is treated to be very strong. It has two curved sheets of glass with a plastic layer in between. This design helps keep people safe. The laminated safety glass is then fitted into the vehicle's window frame.
Motorbike windshields are often different. They are usually made from strong plastics. These plastics include high-impact polycarbonate or acrylic.
The History of Windshields
In the past, vehicles used regular window glass for windshields. But this glass could shatter into sharp pieces. If a vehicle crashed, these pieces could hurt people.
In 1917, Henry Ford helped make windshields safer. He developed laminated safety glass. This idea came from France. This new glass would crack like a spiderweb. But it would not shatter into dangerous pieces. Modern windshields are based on Ford's important safety improvements.
Images for kids
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Split and raked windshield on a 1952 DeSoto. Notice the flat glass panes.
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Single aero screen on Bentley Blower No.1
See also
In Spanish: Parabrisas para niños
