Who could have anticipated the public fascination with the automobile would expand Americans dreams, horizons and change the world? Let's take a look to General Motors (GM) for inspiration. This company formed the foundation for it's beginnings on September 16, 1908 with William "Billy" Durant, a leading manufacturer of horse-drawn vehicles in Flint, MI. At its infancy, GM held only the Buick Motor Company. Throughout the years, GM would grow to acquire 20 plus companies including Oldsmobile, Cadillac, and Oakland, (otherwise known as Pontiac). As demand for automobiles increased during the 1920s, GM was there setting the hallmark for marketing innovation, production and cutting edge design...their philosophy "a car for every purse and purpose." During these years of spectacular growth beyond anyone's imagination, GM would also open over a dozen new plants outside the United States. …show more content…
The catalyst for the change may well have been the supremely curvaceous Cadillac LaSalle! Sleek curves had replaced the former sharp corners, and the low ride was now 'all that'. This design, by Harley Earl, marked the beginning of the automotive design race today! (Earl would head GM's design studio until his retirement in 1959). During the WWII era, one hundred percent of GM's production was reported to support of the Allied war effort. GM would deliver more than $12 billion worth of military supplies to American troops, to include airplanes, trucks and
In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s the automobile was considered an expensive, custom made, consumer product that only the wealthy could afford to dazzle themselves with. In fact, in 1895 there was a report of only 300 cars in the United States, but that number grew dramatically in the years to come to nearly 1.7 million by 1914 (Car History, n.d.). This increase was due in part by two major shifts in the American society; the new consumer economy and the ideas that every family in America should be able to afford an automobile. Henry Ford was a large contributor to this massive increase in the United States and would make changes to the automobile industry that
Imagine how life would be if our society did not have cars. Today, our society is dependent on cars for our daily routines. From transporting our food, clothes, and technology to just going to the store across the street, cars are a very important part of our society. In the 19th century, only the wealthy and upper middle class had access to automobiles, and they only used cars for fancy transportation and to show off their money. This was due to the extreme prices of cars in the 19th century. With these high prices not many people could afford them, especially not the working class. Henry Ford revolutionized the automotive industry in the
The automobile industry put American citizens into action. Mass production was a big component in the success of automobiles. Although successful, it became very repetitive. Skilled workers who were once worshipped, were no longer needed. Henry Ford was described as racist, bitter, but he brought success to citizens in the 1920s. Ford started the Ford Motor Company in 1903 with the help of a limited amount of workers in a shed. It was not until 1914 where custom-made cars turned into many cars, such as the Model T, moving down an assembly line. The Model T was a very popular car that benefitted cheap labor and easy mobility for its owners. Ford became a billionaire from the help of the federal government’s actions. At this point, the government decided that funds should be spent more on roads. Automobiles introduced
Ford and Chevrolet (Chevy) are in the automotive industry and have been in completion for many years start back in 1908, both companies started in the state of Michigan and have been battling it out for profits, market share and hometown bragging rights. Ford was founded in the suburb of Dearborn, Michigan and Chevy was founded in Flint, Michigan.
The automobile has had a profound impact on the United States. It has brought us
A motor car for the great multitude a goal for Henry Ford(Schlager 593). In the 1920s, automobiles are rapidly changing the American lifestyle forever because of their affordability and also the development of new assembly technology to lower the cost. Technological innovations of assembly begin to expand and advance for the better throughout the 1920s, which impacts Americans and the people of the world today. Henry Ford, a bold figure during the 1920s, owner of Ford automobiles. His ideas and innovation like the assembly line forever changes the automobile and the way goods are produce. Although there are many technological advancement during the 1920s, the assembly line designed by
In a bold stroke in 1928, however, Henry Ford with the assistance of his son, Edsel, introduced a completely redesigned car, which proved to be an instant hit with the public. Ford Motor Company was able to regain much of its stature as a leader in the industry. This popular new car was called the Ford ______________.
The 1920 's were a time where North America became modernized. Whether it was the music, the culture or the growth in technology, this time era is known to most people as the point where America advanced itself to become a world renowned country. An advancement that will be focused on is the Ford Model T. During this time owning a car was a symbol of wealth. Henry Ford, the creator of the Model T, made a system that revolutionized the automobile industry as we know it today. Henry Ford made it possible for people with an average income to own a motor vehicle by creating the assembly line and the theory of mass production. "The horse, which had been the chief means of land transportation for 3,500 years, had given way to the automobile, and
General Motors Corporation (NYE: GM) is the leading American automaker in the world with its operations spanning in 157 countries. The car manufacturer was established in 1908 in Michigan and today it is headquartered in Detroit, the United States of America. Besides the domestic industry of the United States of America, General Motors manufactures cars and trucks in other 30 countries around the world. Among its brand products are Cadillac, Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Hummer, Holden, Opel, Saab, Pontiac, Vauxhall, and Saturn. Besides these brands that are owned by the automaker, GMC also operates joint ventures in China and Japan. That is, Shanghai GM and SAIC-GM-Wuling
However, at the turn of the century the world would change forever. Henry Ford would turn cars from being luxuries into necessities. On a small farm in Dearborn, Michigan in 1863 a boy named Henry Ford was born and the world would be changed forever. It all started when he worked on the farm and he was so
Chevrolet was started in November 3, 1911 by Louis Chevrolet and William C. Durant. Louis Chevrolet was a swiss race car driver before building one of the biggest automobile companies worldwide. Durant was a business man who had a vision to build his own car industry. In 1915, Chevrolet had some differences with Durant which ended up selling his part of the company. The American automobile industry’s headquarters is in Detroit, Michigan.
“I will build a car for the great multitude” (Ford in Foner & Garraty). This was the promise and the realization of Henry Ford, who created the Model T for the common man. The Model T influenced everyday life for the Middle class, whom could not afford a car in the early 20th century. Henry Ford is one of the most significant people in American history because he revolutionized the automobile industry in the United States, he revolutionized mass production and the assembly line, and he revolutionized the economy with production of the Model T. Henry Ford revolutionized the automobile industry by creating a simple and affordable car. “He set out to build a car large enough for the family but small enough for the individual to run and care for.
In its early years the automobile industry consisted of hundreds of firms, each producing a few models. William Durant, who bought and reorganized a failing Buick Motors in 1904, determined that if several automobile makers would unite, it would increase the protection for the group. He formed the General Motors Company in Flint, Michigan, in 1908.
Rudi Volti’s Cars and Culture: The Life Story of a Technology (Greenwood Press, 2004) examines the evolution of the automobile, starting from 1765, with Nicholas Cugnot’s steam-powered vehicles, to the present day. The goal of the book, as stated by Volti in the introduction, is to “pay particular attention to the automobile’s technical evolution while at the same time delineating the cultural, social, and political context in which that evolution has taken place” (xi). Thus, Volti also demonstrates the cultural and societal effects that resulted from the emergence and mass production of automobiles. Volti divides the history of automobiles into seven time periods, each a separate chapter that achieves his goal. He accomplishes his objectives by stating the technological advances and societal context under different headings, occasionally linking the two topics together.
As an example look at the Buick Regal. It has a boxy style in the 88 year but in 89 it takes a major curvy turn. Major design changes were the result of the fuel problem that already helped change the design in Europe’s market and helped us change from big and boxy to nice and curvy as we know today.