Article: Flashes of genius, years of turmoil; Film depicts troubled journey of inventor who fought Detroit over intermittent wipers.(A)

Byline: Marti Benedetti

Throughout his embattled life, Robert Kearns made it a point not to drive cars that featured his invention: intermittent windshield wipers. It was one way of protesting the injustice he felt had been done to him by automakers.

It is also an illustration of the man described by his children as "obstinate, determined, unique and unwavering.'' He was a 5-foot-7-inch veteran who never thought twice about the size of the person or the company when he took them on in a fight. Kearns won two of the most famous patent cases against corporations when he sued Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler Corp.

His invention and doggedness made his ...

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