A “Revoltin’ Development”

Revolting!

There was a character on a radio show that used a catchphrase that spread across the country, and you could hear it ever day. “Whata revoltin' development dis is,” was spoken by actor William Bendix as Brooklyn native “Chester Riley” on “Life of Riley.”

Chester often acted on bad advice from another character but was played by Bendix as a bumbling, lovable, hard-working guy but not generously gifted. He worked as a riveter in an aircraft plant.

The show began in the waning days of WWII, into the early 1950's on radio, then moved on to television.

Like many situation comedies, most of the action and motivation originated with one of the supporting characters.

One of the best developed and funny characters on radio was “Digger”O'Dell, “The Friendly Undertaker.” His humor was often subtle, requiring a moment to get the punch line.

O'Dell was once quoted as saying he loved to walk beside the pond listening to the frogs croak. Or, as he was departing a scene, “Cheerio, I must be shoveling off.”

That phrase by Riley came to mind while rolling down the highway in a misty rain and the driver-side wiper blade came apart. There was nothing to do but lean over to the clean side until I could clear the highway.

All I could do was wait out the rain.

There must be maintenance recommendations to keep blades supple and wiping without streaking. Once a wiper blade hardens or begins to separate, it starts scrubbing and stuttering along, gouging a permanent scratch on the windshield.

Windshield wiper blades are not complicated, but there are all kinds of things that can go wrong with a windshield wiper such as tension. The blade has to exert some pressure against the glass to wipe it clear of water. Blades have to be clean of debris and road gunk that can accumulate in the grooves.

Modern cars are engineered so that it is increasingly difficult for an owner to change his own oil. If you are depending upon a shop to service your car, ask them to check the wipers.

Most auto parts stores will install blades they sell to you.

We use a chemical water solution on our vehicles which causes rain to bead up and slide off. It is applied as a liquid and has to be buffed into a shine.

An added benefit is that bugs don't stick to the windshield. It has to be re-applied, but it isn't rocket science.

I'm better at keeping up with the condition of wiper blades since having to sit out that afternoon rain, and it was a “revoltin' development.”

joenphillips@yahoo.com