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| Curved Dash Runnabout Oldsmobile 1904 |
As
you can see, Henry Ford wasn’t the only innovator of the manufacture of cars in
the early 19th Century. He just happened to be one of the most well-known and touted.
Ransom Eli Olds
I
got a bit acquainted with Ransom Eli Olds (1864-1950), American inventor
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| Ransom Eli Olds |
This
car was the first commercially successful American-made automobile. It was also
the first to use a progressive assembly system and foreshadowed modern
mass-production methods.
The
original Oldsmobiles appeared in 1901 in Lansing, Michigan and the early models
reached their peak of sales in 1904 with 5,000 owners. Later, he also developed
the REO brand of cars.
When
his cars steadily lost ground to competitors, after 1915 Mr. Olds turned most
of his attention from the automobile business to activities such as marketing a
lawn mower he invented and land speculation in Florida. An all-around talented
man, as are most inventors and innovators.
My Merry Oldsmobile
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| "Come away with me, Lucille, in my merry Oldsmobile" |
“Come
away with me, Lucille, in my merry Oldsmobile,” were lyrics to a popular waltz song
(1905) with music by Gus Edwards and lyrics by Vincent Bryan. Wikipedia states
the song’s chorus “is one of the most enduring automobile-oriented songs.”
The song was often used in older cartoons, especially in a car scene. The song has been played on Main Street USA at Disneyland. Bill Murray revived the old song for a "follow the bouncing ball" cartoon in the 1930s.
Some of the verses were slightly suggestive by standards at the time. General Motors altered the lyrics and used the song as a marketing jingle for several decades. I'm sure R.E. Olds appreciated all of these marketing ploys.
Some of the verses were slightly suggestive by standards at the time. General Motors altered the lyrics and used the song as a marketing jingle for several decades. I'm sure R.E. Olds appreciated all of these marketing ploys.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What was the oldest
Oldsmobile you’ve ever ridden or driven? Was there a particular memory attached to this event? What did you like most or dislike
about this car brand? Did you figure out how Mr. Olds came up with the naming of the REO models?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About Author & Giveaway Offer…
 |
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