In a tale that drives through history, we rev up with the Michelin brothers who inflated our journeys in 1891 with their pneumatic tire. Fast forward to 1902, where Kenosha, Wisconsin, gave birth to the Rambler, while by 1972, cars had multiplied to 224 million, with the USA hogging half. Ralph Nader threw a wrench in the works with “Unsafe At Any Speed” in 1965. Meanwhile, Toyota parked itself in Kentucky in 1986, and by 2006, GM and Chrysler were on a bailout joyride. Buckle up for an automotive rollercoaster!
In 1889, two brothers named Edward and Andre Michelin, begin a family business manufacturing rubber in France, however, it is 1891 before they patent their first pneumatic tire.
The first documented use of a motorized vehicle involved in War is 1899, by the British, during the Second Boar War (1899-1902).
Kenosha Wisconsin is the home of Thomas Jeffery, who manufactures bicycles, but introduces his first car, the Rambler in 1902.
By 1972 there are about 224 million cars on earth and almost half of them are in the USA.
Ralph Nader publishes a book in 1965 called “Unsafe At Any Speed” which attacks the Auto Industry fingering a number of popular models, including the Corvair and the VW Beatle, pointing out safety issues they may have had.
The first Toyota American based factory opens in Kentucky during 1986.
General Motors and Chrysler, in 2006, lay off thousands of employees, plus post astronomical loses, only to be saved by a government bail-out.
Our thanks to Gateway Classic Cars for the image
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