[Lynn Eades]

There are lots of variations in vacuum wipers, up into the later 50s (particularly British cars, often with a vacuum tank (with the hope that you might get at least one wipe as you climbed a hill) These were mostly mounted under the dash so had a separate control.
There were larger units (cylindrical bodies) in the M series trucks that were new (to the N.Z. Army) after the Vietnam war (70s) (e.g.M816- M818)
These were fitted in Wagner logstackers up to 2000. These big units, as I recall were pressure rather than vacuum. (still available?)

I have seen as thread on here talking about Canadian contract Jeeps with electric wipers.

Wipac is a common brand with British units appearing to have a "shield type cover (pointed at the bottom end) and U.S. ones having a cover shaped like a horse racing oval.(e.g. WWII WC Dodge. _ these were small units early on and were larger like the CMP ones later in the war)
The CMP ones like the Dodge ones had an operating lever (assist) as well as a push pull (on off knob) The CMP cover is more square with a rounded bottom.
I have a couple of them still sealed in their Ford V8 marked LV* CC15 17505. I do have a use for them.
I think they were extensively used as Tony said. I hope that helps a bit.