Wiped Away: The Storm Behind the Invention: Part 1- Monday Monologue

A visionary from the Deep South reimagined how we move through storms—yet history left their name behind. This immersive monologue traces a journey from Alabama’s fields to New York’s frozen streets, where a fleeting moment of empathy sparked a mechanical breakthrough: the first hand-operated windshield wiper. A design born of clarity, resilience, and quiet brilliance.

Through archival storytelling, poetic narration, and evocative sound design, this episode explores invention, legacy, and the cost of being ahead of one’s time. It’s a meditation on visibility—what we see, what we ignore, and who gets remembered.

This is Part 1 of a two-part reflection. The thread continues in Wiped Away: Part 2 – Thursday Thread.

Credits:

Echoes in the First Person is a collective effort.

Deep thanks to Scott A. Jennings, our masterful sound mixer. Original composition by Ayla M. Charness, who shapes our sonic world as both sound designer and composer. Theme music by Soundside

Produced by Michael Washington Brown, with care and intention.

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