Abstract: A windshield wiper element is disclosed which includes an elongated backing strip having a slot formed therein and a squeegee element having a bulbous head received in the slot. The backing strip has a plurality of breakage indications provided thereon at predetermined spaced locations, corresponding to predetermined windshield wiper lengths, to permit it to be used as a universally applicable windshield member with different sizes of super-structure. The backing strip includes means located between each of the breakage indications for engaging the head of the squeegee in order to resist longitudinal removal of the squeegee from the backing strip.