Auto Glass: The Past, Present & Future
Residents of Peoria, Surprise, Litchfield Park, Mirage, and Buckeye: What does family safety; rising energy costs, sleeker designs, and vehicle interior maintenance all have in common?
These are just some of the factors that have gone into the forefront of auto glass technology. Take an imaginary journey from the earliest history of the automobile to the “other side”, where auto glass is no longer just a means to provide protection.
Imagine the Past of Peoria Auto Glass
Slip on those goggles and rain gear, and let us begin the trip in a vehicle with a folding windshield! The earliest windshields, introduced by 1904, allowed the driver to tip the top half down for an unobstructed view. These “wrap-around” windshields were actually considered a luxury and sold as optional equipment for motorists. By as late as 1919, nine out of ten cars had only a one-person top and side curtains. It was not until 1929 that the majority of vehicles were equipped with glass all around to provide protection from wind, rain, mud splashes, road dust, and flying debris.
Two inventors were responsible for the inception of safety glass, which was originally developed in 1905: French scientist Edouard Benedictus accidentally discovered safety glass when he knocked a flask to the floor containing nitrocellulose; it had dried up leaving an adhesive film, which kept the bits of fragmented glass from separating. In addition, British inventor, John C. Wood, had developed his own method, which was produced under the brand name Triplex.
Some additional auto glass breakthroughs include the following:
PPG’s first solar glass, Solex, brought about a change in style and comfort in 1952 by absorbing some of the infrared, heat-producing part of the solar spectrum to avoid interior damage.
Curved side windows began to appear in the early 60’s and fabricating techniques were created to permit drilling of holes in side windows for anchoring and lifting mechanisms. This meant more styling, flexibility, and the opportunity to add more built-in safety features.
Current & Future Auto Glass Trends
Drivers of Peoria, Surprise, Litchfield Park, Mirage, and Buckeye:
A Clearer Perspective of Auto Glass Today and the Future.
According to Auto Glass magazine, published by the National Glass Association, the amount of auto glass used in a car has been growing steadily at two to three percent a year; meaning that vehicles have 25 percent more glass than 20 years ago. The following bullets represent current and future trends for the industry:
- Increasing popularity of electrochromic mirrors represent another growth trend for upcoming vehicle models. This product lessens the glare from car lights, reducing the danger of night driving.
- Laminated auto glass, made by placing clear plastic film between two glass panes, then sealing using heat and pressure, has also become very popular. Laminated auto glass offers improved sound control, and many buyers like the idea of a quieter vehicle. Vehicle owners also want auto glass products to absorb more of the sun's ultraviolet rays and heat.
- PPG’s Sungate® windshield provides heat reflective coating laminated between the two layers of glass effectively blocking 60 percent of the sun’s total energy. This attribute keeps the car's interior cooler and blocks damaging ultraviolet radiation. The Sungate® antenna windshield provides full range AM/FM radio reception, eliminating the need for an exterior mast antenna.
- The price of energy affects the development of auto glass, glaziers and designers are constantly developing alternate ways to improve auto glass efficiency on vehicles including the use of different coatings, which will continue to grow.
Schedule an Appointment Now
Residents of Peoria, Surprise, El Mirage, Buckeye, and Litchfield Park, or within Maricopa and Pinal Counties and require a windshield replacement, auto glass repair, window tinting or glass etching. SunTec Auto Glass has highly trained and certified auto glass technicians and is a member of the National Glass Association (NGA). We also endorse the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards Council (AGRSS), which is dedicated to the safe replacement of auto glass. Contact us for reliable, honest service and industry expertise.
Call SunTec Auto Glass Today
(480) 782-5489