Watch Flash of Genius

In 1953, part-time inventor Robert Kearns comes up with an idea for a wiper blade that blinks intermittently after he is nearly blinded by a champagne cork. The invention results in a decades-long court battle with Ford Motor Company, who stole Kearns' idea. After attempting to hammer out a deal with Ford -- and receiving no response after several months -- it comes to Kearns' attention while attending a Ford convention that his idea has been ripped off.

Looking to gain credit for his invention, Kearns goes as far as traveling to Washington D.C. His efforts lead to his confinement to a mental hospital and returning home a dejected man. After facing a number of financial and personal setbacks, Kearns finally has his day in court. Instead of hiring his own attorney, he represents himself.

Once the attorneys for Ford Motor Company sense their case isn't going as expected, a $30 million settlement is offered -- and flatly turned down by Kearns when Ford refuses Kearns' terms of admitting to stealing the idea.