The motor car has come a long way since its invention over a hundred years ago, both in engine performance and level of comfort. The early opening windows would swing open vertically or slide up and down. The next development was a mechanical linkage operated by a winding handle fitted into the door panel. However electric windows are gradually replacing the mechanical systems.
With electric windows, the winding handles on each door are replaced by electrical switches. These can be fitted either on the dashboard, centre console or on the doors themselves. Each switch drives a motor fitted inside the door, which then drives a linkage in the same way as the manual system. Some modern cars have a stalling device so that if the closing window meets with resistance, for example a trapped hand, the window is prevented from closing. To counter this, however is an override switch to allow the window to be opened or closed when there is ice or snow on the glass.
