Flash of Genius

lash of Genius

David Vs. Goliath
Ron Smith

In the 1960’s, Robert Kearns, a Detroit University instructor gets an idea for improving the existing windshield wiper motor. As a result, he invents the intermittent windshield wiper.

Ford and General Motors

Ford, General Motors, and other auto companies have been working on the same idea for some time, but cannot get it to operate.Robert approaches a friend with the idea, who presents it to Ford Motor Company. Ford is interested and must have a prototype to submit it to the government for a safety approval…all normal procedure. Except, later Ford says they are not interested after all. When the new Ford Mustang comes out, low and behold, it has the intermittent windshield wiper as an option.

Hot Under the Collar

When Robert finds out, he is hot under the collar and will settle for nothing less than an apology. In writing, in the form of a newspaper full page ad, plus a cash settlement. Thank you very much. He gets neither from the ‘Auto Giant’ and the battle begins.

The Battle Begins

A very long battle ensues; which takes all his time, energy and money. This has an undesirable result on his once happy life. He sues Ford in 1978 and Chrysler in 1982. Ford makes Robert a pretty decent offer to settle out of court. Will Robert take a settlement without the apology? Is he crazy if he does not take the offer?
First Rate Acting

The acting is first rate and the settings are wonderful. Everything is as I remember it in the 70s down to the tablecloths and the Corning Ware serving dish at the family dinner table. Overall, the movie is good. I did not find myself rooting for Robert one way or the other. The film was not dull and the scriptwriter took creative license with the real facts.

I was a little disappointed with the lack of information about the rest of the story after the movie ended. What happened to Robert? Well, I looked it up on Google. He died of Cancer at age 77 in 2005. His wife once said of him “If somebody cut him open he would bleed electronics.”

What would you do? Do you have the drive to fight Goliath? If you do, write me in care of the Hawaiian Hilton, room #253. I may have time to read your letter while I am sipping a Mai Tai and eating chocolate covered macadamia nuts. All courtesy of the turn and run money I got from my latest invention. Yeah right.

Cast and Credits

Cast: Greg Kinnear, Lauren Graham and a brief appearance by Alan Alda.
Drama
Rated: PG

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