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History
In Trico's earlier days, we sold more than just wiper blades and motors. Trico sold numerous products that related to driving vision and others that didn't, but products that every vehicle needed.
It Was All About Vision
Many of the products Trico sold related to safe driving vision in one way or another. Be it the Glass Cleaner that was marketed to both the Service Station attendant and the household or the Fans that were utilized to eliminate frost, sleet and steam from the windshield. Trico sold all kinds of Mirrors – ones that could be locked to the spare left-hand tire or fender and other that could be side mounted on cars, trucks or buses.
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To go along with the Rain Rubber wiper blade, which was manually pulled back and forth between the opening of the windshield's two pieces of glass, Trico offered the 2-Way Weatherstrip. "Besides being the most practical appliance for the purpose of sealing the opening, this strip adds materially to the appearance of any car with its beautifully polished surface". It was available "in assorted lengths and may be cut to fit any particular windshield lengths. Made also for overlap glass – in styles suitable for Hudson, Oakland, Packard, Fleetwood, Stutz and others". |
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A product called Finder Glass was sold (list price $.50) which "quickly directs the eye to the reflecting surface". It was basically a jewel colored (Sapphire, Topaz, Ruby or Emerald) frame that went around the mirror. "For night driving the Finder Glass provided a great improvement over the ordinary mirror plate by removing all reflecting dazzling rays which ordinarily originated in the bevelled section of rear mirrors".
In 1930 Trico introduced Pilot Glass, which was "a new adjustable glass screen for all year round driving. An air chamber is provided to prevent the steaming and frosting of the windshield under all temperature changes. Also fitted with heat producing element for use in sleet storms and low temperature conditions. Instantly adjustable from the nesting position on the car ceiling to the driving position on the windshield".
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Vacuum Pressure is Free Energy
Many of the non-wiper products that Trico sold in the 1930's through 1960's, all revolved around the vacuum pressure that Trico's wiper motors produced. And if you didn't have enough vacuum pressure, Trico sold a separate vacuum pump, which ran off the outside of the fan belt and provided a "supplementary supply of constant vacuum". A reserve vacuum tank was also available which stored "surplus vacuum for use during acceleration periods". |
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In 1931, Trico introduced Claireon horns. These "vacuum trumpets" were available in either full chromium plated ($18.00 to $42.50 list price), a combination chrome and black enamel finish ($16.50 to $29.50) or full black enamel ($12.50 to $24.50). They were designed to mount on the "fender sill, the hood, tire carrier, side of the cowl or at a point below this on the cross-bar". Models were also available that were "suitable for mounting under the hood".
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The 1940's brought about "Lift-O-Matic", which was a vacuum powered unit with push button control for speedy lifting and lowering car windows. It was "born in the last pre-war days and perfected for postwar production".
The late 1950's saw Trico marketing vacuum door locks, which could be activated manually or either when the car was put into "drive" or when it reached speeds of 8 to 12 mph. As the the ads said, "one comforting "click" tells you your doors are power locked for motoring safety". Trico also manufactured an auxiliary truck door lock with the remote control button located in the glove compartment.
