Mary Anderson — Questions and answers
Read the full story
What main problem did Mary Anderson see the motorman struggling with on the streetcar?
Choices
- The motorman was too loud.
- The snow made it hard for the motorman to see out the window. ✓
- The passengers were complaining about the cold.
- The streetcar was moving too fast.
Answer: The snow made it hard for the motorman to see out the window.
From page 1
What kind of spirit did Mary Anderson have from a young age?
Choices
- A lazy and dependent spirit.
- A shy and quiet spirit.
- A practical and independent spirit. ✓
- A silly and playful spirit.
Answer: A practical and independent spirit.
From page 2
What was Mary Anderson's idea for how her new device would work?
Choices
- A loud horn to scare away the rain.
- A warm fan to melt the snow off the window.
- A rubber blade controlled from inside to sweep away rain and snow. ✓
- A passenger who would lean out and wipe the window.
Answer: A rubber blade controlled from inside to sweep away rain and snow.
From page 3
What important qualities did Mary Anderson want her invention to have?
Choices
- It had to be big and noisy.
- It had to be effective, durable, and not get in the way. ✓
- It had to be very colorful and pretty.
- It had to be made of only wood.
Answer: It had to be effective, durable, and not get in the way.
From page 4
What important document did Mary Anderson receive in November 1903?
Choices
- A new driver's license.
- A reward for her bravery.
- A U.S. Patent for her window cleaning device. ✓
- A letter from her family.
Answer: A U.S. Patent for her window cleaning device.
From page 5
How did big car companies first feel about Mary Anderson's invention?
Choices
- They thought it was a wonderful and necessary idea.
- They offered her a lot of money to use it right away.
- They didn't think it was needed and worried it would distract drivers. ✓
- They put it on all their cars the very next day.
Answer: They didn't think it was needed and worried it would distract drivers.
From page 6
Who were some of the first people to see the good use of Mary Anderson's invention?
Choices
- Only her close friends and family.
- The very large car manufacturers.
- Individual car owners and small carriage companies. ✓
- People who never drove cars.
Answer: Individual car owners and small carriage companies.
From page 7
What happened to Mary Anderson's patent in 1920?
Choices
- It was renewed for another 20 years.
- It expired, meaning it was no longer legally protected. ✓
- It was sold to a big car company.
- It won a national award.
Answer: It expired, meaning it was no longer legally protected.
From page 8
What did Mary Anderson get after her invention became popular in cars everywhere?
Choices
- Lots of money and famous awards.
- No money or public fame for her invention. ✓
- A job as a car designer.
- A free car from Cadillac.
Answer: No money or public fame for her invention.
From page 9
How is Mary Anderson's invention seen in cars around the world today?
Choices
- It's an old idea that is no longer used.
- It's only found in very expensive cars.
- It's a basic and important part of every car. ✓
- It's mostly used for decoration.
Answer: It's a basic and important part of every car.
From page 10