Who Invented the Mud Flap?

Mud Flaps come in all varieties of shapes, sizes and designs, from ribbed or smooth to decorative and promotional.  For most of Fruehauf's dominance of the trailer market, mud flaps bearing the Fruehauf logo were ubiquitous on the nation's highways.   Occasionally, I field the question, "Is your family the one who makes those rubber mud flaps?"  Finally curiosity won us over and we embarked on a search for the real inventor of the "mud flap."  Read Darlene Norman's take on mud flap history.

Oscar Glenn March, Sr

Oscar Glenn March invented mud flaps during WWII
By Darlene Norman

A bunch of people have made improvements to the original design over the years.  There are numerous patents for different kinds of brackets, hangers and mounting accouterments as well as lights.  They went by an assortment of names including splash guards.
 
So after looking at all the claims, this is the one I think most likely actually invented mud flaps.  His name was Oscar Glenn March, Sr., son of Earl and Thelma Jacko March of Jones, Oklahoma.  He was an inventor who didn’t bother patenting his inventions, and that includes mud flaps.  He created the first rough version, then somebody else improved upon them and got the patent. 
 
He was in the military during WWII.  He enlisted in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged from both branches.  He also worked at Tinker Air Force Base.  He spent 40 years as a motor pool driver and clocked over 2 million miles, without a ticket or an accident, until he retired in April 1983. 
 
His retirement was well marked by the community as he was honored with numerous awards; he received the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, the second highest civilian award given by the U.S. government; the Oklahoma Meritorious Service Medal; Oklahoma City’s Ambassador-at-Large award; and the distinguished alumni award from Langston University where he attended for two years prior to enlisting in the military. 
 
He received a total of 87 awards of significant achievements and commendation.  He was also a 32nd Degree Mason.
 
He invented mud flaps while working at Tinker Air Force Base.  In an article written by Ellie Posey and published April 5, 1983, the interviewer wrote, “He made the flaps because the main drive wheels of big rigs kicked up rocks, mud, water and debris that damaged the delicate cargo.  Much of the radar equipment he and other drivers delivered was sensitive to moisture and rock damage was common.
 
“To solve the problem, March designed tarps to trap the water and rocks.  His mud flap was modified and soon every tractor rig operating at Tinker was equipped with them.  Not only did his invention prevent damage to the cargo, but it prevented damage or injury to following vehicles and their occupants.  The law now requires the use of mud flaps on big rigs.”
 
Here’s an excerpt from his memorial announcement, He died July 23rd, 2014, just before his 94th birthday. :
 
“Oscar, being very modest, rarely tells anyone he is a famed inventor—inventing the mud flaps that are now required on all big rigs.  He also came up with the bracket and canvas system that attached to flat-bed trucks to prevent damage to equipment.  This system is still used by the military during long-haul deliveries.  While working at Tinker he came up with many more inventions that are still currently used on the base.  Oscar has also been given honor in the Oklahoma History Museum for being the first black postman in the state of Oklahoma."

---