The fi rst major use of tonneau windshields
in the USA started in 1909, and Charles
Fryer held United States patents for an
English invention that would see applica-
tion and use for more than 30 years.The Fryer-Auster Company of Providence, Rhode Island, was the representative in the USA for the British Auster Tonneau Shield. It started
to heavily promote these Auster shields in 1916 with direct-contact promotional letters to autobody and repair shops. In England they were
called Auster screens.
The Perkins Tonneau Windshield Co. touted the shields “may be purchased
through high-class dealers in every port of the world, including sixty-one Packard
Service Stations.” Perkins exhibited at the New York Salon held in the Hotel
Commodore in 1920.Hemmings.com I OCTOBER 2019 HEMMINGS CLASSIC CAR 69