Ford Credits Women in the Auto Industry by Announcing the “Men’s Only” Explorer

As technology continues to advance and evolve every day, it’s sometimes hard to imagine life without today’s modern conveniences. In honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, Ford gives credit to the many women throughout history that have made significant contributions to the auto industry with their “Men’s Only Edition: Ford Explorer.”

Cloaked in irony, actor Bryan Cranson narrates the “Ford Explorer Men’s Only Edition” this parody advertisement by illustrating a new take on the classic SUV that is deprived of any features invented and developed by women. That includes no windshield wipers, no turn signals, no brake lights, no heaters, and no GPS. Suddenly a new vehicle without any of these essential features doesn’t sound all that appealing, does it?

For additional context, below are some of the women that have developed the most groundbreaking advancements in technology in the auto industry:

• Hedy Lamarr: Innovator of the frequency-hopping technology that would serve as the foundation for WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth communication systems
• Florence Lawrence: Inventor of brake and turn signals
• Dorothy Levitt: Inventor of the rearview mirror
• Dr. Gladys West: Pioneer of GPS technology
• Mary Anderson: Inventor of windshield wipers. Was later developed into electric windshield wipers by Charlotte Bridgwood.
• Bertha Benz: Inventor of brake pads
• Margaret Wilcox: Inventor of the internal car heater
• Helen Blair Bartlett: Inventor of insulation for spark plugs
• Edith Flanigen: Developed “molecular sieves” that are used to convert crude oil into gasoline. They are also used to remove water from car air conditioners and from refrigerant lines in refridgerators, produce oxygen for medical units, and clean nuclear waste.
• Margaret Wu: Credited with the development of synthetic lubricants