Big Names in the Automotive Industry
Buick, David A plumbing inventor and manufacturer built his first car in 1900.
Cadillac, Antoine Founded the City of Detroit in the 17th century.
Chevrolet, Louis A Swiss race car driver and engineer built his first car in 1911 with financing by William Durant.
Chrysler, Walter A locomotive mechanic who got into the automobile business in 1912 and publicly displayed his own first car at the 1924 NY Auto Show and selling an amazing 32,000 car in his first year.
Cord, E.L. As General Manager of Auburn Auto Company he produced some of the most advanced (front-wheel drive, supercharged V8's) and beautiful cars ever under his own name. Unfortunately, they were expensive and came along during the start of the Depression.
Daimler, Gottlieb Can be considered as the founder of the automobile industry when he formed Daimler Motor Company in 1890.
Dodge, John & Horace Their first car came off the assembly line in 1914. Both brothers died within less than a year of each other during the influenza epidemic in 1920.
Durant, William A businessman, finance man, and salesman who was a self-made millionaire before ever joining the auto business. He was called on by the owners of the failing Buick Motor Company to help. He soon bought Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Cadillac and formed General Motors. He almost bought Ford, but didn't come up with enough cash to suit Henry. Durant always kept himself stretched thin with his money in stocks and other businesses. He lost everything in the Depression.
Duryea, Charles & Frank Built the first successful American automobile and the first to offer a production model for sale to the public.
Earl, Harley Designed the La Salle in 1927, the beginning of a trend towards lower and wider cars. As head of GM's styling department he invented the tail fin and designed the Corvette.
Ferrari, Enzo A mechanic, race car driver then race car team owner. His cars dominated racing for many years after WWII.
Firestone, Harvey His tires went on the first mass-produced Fords.
Ford, Henry In creating the assembly line for automobiles he also created jobs for thousands and affordable cars for millions. What Henry did for automobiles spilled over into other consumer good.
Gale, Tom A Chrysler designer largely responsible for the current crop of Chrysler's design of cab-forward and curved styling on everything from the minivan to the Viper.
Goodrich, BF The company started in 1896 has many firsts: First synthetic rubber tire, first tubeless tire, first American-made radial tire, the first space saver spare and the first "run flat" tire.
Goodyear, Charles Accidentally discovered the rubber vulcanizing process. He patented the process, but couldn't come up with any practical uses for it and died penniless in 1860. The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company was named after him.
Honda, Soichiro After WWII with $3,300 he started making motorcycles.
Iacocca, Lee Responsible for the Mustang in the early 1960's and bailing out Chrysler in early 1980's.
Jellinek, Emile In 1900, while a Daimler Motor Works board member, Jellinek convinced Gottlieb Daimler to build a race car and name it after Emile's daughter, Mercedes.
Murphy, Edward Founded the Pontiac Buggy Company in Pontiac, MI in 1893. At the turn of the century he decided to switch to making "those noisy, smelly, unreliable automobiles."
Olds, Ransom His highly successful "Curved Dash" runabout put Michigan on the map as a source of motor vehicles. He soon left his namesake company. Later he produced the first gasoline lawn mower.
Porsche, Ferdinand A design engineer who never created a car carrying his name. That was left to his son, Ferry, to accomplish.
Royce, Frederick & Rolls, Charles Engineer Royce and car dealer Rolls introduced their first car in 1904.
Sloan, Alfred Led GM to become the world's largest corporation. Responsible for the idea of yearly styling changes.
Tucker, Preston After WWII Tucker designed, built and promoted an innovative car with features, power, and aerodynamic design never before seen and at a very good price. His company folded after building 51 cars.
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Buick, David A plumbing inventor and manufacturer built his first car in 1900.
Cadillac, Antoine Founded the City of Detroit in the 17th century.
Chevrolet, Louis A Swiss race car driver and engineer built his first car in 1911 with financing by William Durant.
Chrysler, Walter A locomotive mechanic who got into the automobile business in 1912 and publicly displayed his own first car at the 1924 NY Auto Show and selling an amazing 32,000 car in his first year.
Cord, E.L. As General Manager of Auburn Auto Company he produced some of the most advanced (front-wheel drive, supercharged V8's) and beautiful cars ever under his own name. Unfortunately, they were expensive and came along during the start of the Depression.
Daimler, Gottlieb Can be considered as the founder of the automobile industry when he formed Daimler Motor Company in 1890.
Dodge, John & Horace Their first car came off the assembly line in 1914. Both brothers died within less than a year of each other during the influenza epidemic in 1920.
Durant, William A businessman, finance man, and salesman who was a self-made millionaire before ever joining the auto business. He was called on by the owners of the failing Buick Motor Company to help. He soon bought Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Cadillac and formed General Motors. He almost bought Ford, but didn't come up with enough cash to suit Henry. Durant always kept himself stretched thin with his money in stocks and other businesses. He lost everything in the Depression.
Duryea, Charles & Frank Built the first successful American automobile and the first to offer a production model for sale to the public.
Earl, Harley Designed the La Salle in 1927, the beginning of a trend towards lower and wider cars. As head of GM's styling department he invented the tail fin and designed the Corvette.
Ferrari, Enzo A mechanic, race car driver then race car team owner. His cars dominated racing for many years after WWII.
Firestone, Harvey His tires went on the first mass-produced Fords.
Ford, Henry In creating the assembly line for automobiles he also created jobs for thousands and affordable cars for millions. What Henry did for automobiles spilled over into other consumer good.
Gale, Tom A Chrysler designer largely responsible for the current crop of Chrysler's design of cab-forward and curved styling on everything from the minivan to the Viper.
Goodrich, BF The company started in 1896 has many firsts: First synthetic rubber tire, first tubeless tire, first American-made radial tire, the first space saver spare and the first "run flat" tire.
Goodyear, Charles Accidentally discovered the rubber vulcanizing process. He patented the process, but couldn't come up with any practical uses for it and died penniless in 1860. The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company was named after him.
Honda, Soichiro After WWII with $3,300 he started making motorcycles.
Iacocca, Lee Responsible for the Mustang in the early 1960's and bailing out Chrysler in early 1980's.
Jellinek, Emile In 1900, while a Daimler Motor Works board member, Jellinek convinced Gottlieb Daimler to build a race car and name it after Emile's daughter, Mercedes.
Murphy, Edward Founded the Pontiac Buggy Company in Pontiac, MI in 1893. At the turn of the century he decided to switch to making "those noisy, smelly, unreliable automobiles."
Olds, Ransom His highly successful "Curved Dash" runabout put Michigan on the map as a source of motor vehicles. He soon left his namesake company. Later he produced the first gasoline lawn mower.
Porsche, Ferdinand A design engineer who never created a car carrying his name. That was left to his son, Ferry, to accomplish.
Royce, Frederick & Rolls, Charles Engineer Royce and car dealer Rolls introduced their first car in 1904.
Sloan, Alfred Led GM to become the world's largest corporation. Responsible for the idea of yearly styling changes.
Tucker, Preston After WWII Tucker designed, built and promoted an innovative car with features, power, and aerodynamic design never before seen and at a very good price. His company folded after building 51 cars.
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