TIMELINE OF DETROIT
- Exploring the Milestones that define the Motor City story.
1959
2013
1930
1903
1956
1908
1967
1892
The Origins of Ford Motor Company
Henry Ford was born on July 30, 1863, in Michigan. At a very young age, he moved to Detroit due to his interest in engineering and mechanics.
After holding various roles, he joined the Edison Company in 1891, where he experimented differents things, including internal combustion engines and in 1893, he created his first engine.
He became a chief engineer at the Edison Company but shortly after, upon attracting investors (like the Dodge brothers) he founded his "namesake" company on June 16, 1903.
The first Ford vehicle was known as the "Model A", assembled at Detroit's Mack Avenue plant from July 23, 1903, to 1904. This marked the beginning of Ford's legacy, which included a series of models from A to S.
Ford Motor Company | Detroit Historical Society
1900 - 1930
1930 : The end of the great migration
From the 1930s in Detroit, a big change happened because of two main reasons: relocation of companies to Detroit and the Great Migration. Detroit was a good place for industry and innovation at this time, and at the same time, the Great Migration brought a lot of African Americans from the Southern U.S. to Detroit in search of jobs in these growing industries. This mix of more industry and new people changed Detroit's economy and society, making it a major American city.
The car industry growing quickly in Detroit in the early 1900s had a big impact on the city. Many jobs were taken by European immigrants but in 1921 and 1924, laws in the U.S. limited how many new immigrants could come in. To fill jobs, car companies like Ford started hiring African Americans, especially during World War I. Many African Americans moved to Detroit from the South for these factory jobs. This big move of workers and families made Detroit's population grow a lot, from 265,000 to 1.5 million between 1900 and 1930, making the city bigger.
1959 : Born of the Motown Records - Berry Gordy
https://www.motownrecords.com/
In 1959, Motown Records was started in Detroit by Berry Gordy Jr. Motown became a leader in the music industry, making popular songs in soul, R&B, and pop. The label had a unique sound and polished production, and it featured talented artists like The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder. Motown quickly became famous around the world and became a cultural icon in the 1960s and beyond.
"First major hit of the label"
"Packard's Closure: Detroit's Turning Point into Decline"
The closure of the Packard automotive plant in 1956 marked a critical moment in Detroit's history. This is the start of economic decline and urban change. When Packard closed, it showed big problems in the car industry, with more competition and people wanting different kinds of cars. At the same time, new highways made suburban living popular, pulling people away from the city and spreading out cities more. Detroit's population and money went down because of this, affecting things like services and roads. The closing of Packard and other car companies also caused a lot of social problems, like more people losing jobs and bigger gaps between different groups of people, especially African Americans. Finally, this period marked the beginning of significant challenges for Detroit.
Major Companies in the Motor City:
- Ford Motor Company - Founded by Henry Ford, a key player in Detroit's automotive industry.
- General Motors (GM) - Made significant contributions to Detroit's economy and the American automotive industry.
- Chrysler Corporation - Another major player in Detroit's automotive manufacturing sector.
Electric Trams Revolutionize Detroit
Detroit experienced a significant innovation with its first electric tram introduced in 1892. Before, streetcars were pulled by horses, operated by the Detroit City Railway Co. along Jefferson Avenue. The shift to electric streetcars marked a transformative period, expanding services along major avenues like Woodward, Gratiot, and Michigan. The Fort Wayne & Elmwood Railway Co., established in 1874, played a crucial role in this transition. By the early 1900s, "electric trolleys" has replaced horse-drawn cars : Detroit began using new technology and technics to improve the urban transportation.
Before the QLine: Detroit's streetcar history (detroitnews.com)
"The Decline of Detroit: A Turning Point in 2013"
According to the 2000 census, Detroit's population was 951,270 residents – the first time since the 1920 census that the city's population fell below 1 million. On July 18, 2013, Detroit became the first major U.S. city to file for bankruptcy, with accumulated debt of approximately $18.5 billion that had become unmanageable. Today, the city is attempting to reverse this decline. There are signs of revitalization in certain neighborhoods, notably downtown and along the riverfront, and relationships with the business community have been restored. Additionally, the Michigan Theater has been converted into a parking structure, symbolizing the challenges faced during this period of decline and transformation.
- Michigan Central Station
- Highland Theater
1908 : Introduction of the Ford Model T, an history shift.
In 1908, Ford changed the car industry with the Model T, also known as the "Tin Lizzie." It was tough, practical, and affordable. Henry Ford's use of assembly line techniques which reduced costs and letting average families afford the Model T. Moreover, it created mass production. He created a new sort of industry : Fordism. The success of the Model T made car ownership popular and helped create modern consumer culture. As production increased and prices dropped, the Model T became a symbol of freedom and mobility, shaping society and setting the stage for mass production and consumption. Ford also rewarded their workers with $5 a day, which helped them afford to buy a Model T
The 67 Riots.
In the summer of 1967 in Detroit, there was a lot of tension and civil rights issues were becoming more serious. Black communities faced discrimination in where they could live, find work, and get healthcare. Many white people were leaving Detroit for the suburbs, which made Detroit neighborhoods more crowded and run-down.
One night during that hot summer, July 23, there was trouble in Detroit. Police went to a bar and things got out of control. People were angry about discrimination and unfair treatment. This led to two days of chaos and destruction. Many people were hurt or arrested, and many buildings were damaged.
Afterward, the Kerner Commission looked into what happened. They found that racism and segregation were getting worse in America. They said the country was becoming divided into two separate societies, which showed how much work was still needed for civil rights and equality.
https://www.history.com/topics/1960s/1967-detroit-riots
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Transcript
TIMELINE OF DETROIT
- Exploring the Milestones that define the Motor City story.
1959
2013
1930
1903
1956
1908
1967
1892
The Origins of Ford Motor Company
Henry Ford was born on July 30, 1863, in Michigan. At a very young age, he moved to Detroit due to his interest in engineering and mechanics. After holding various roles, he joined the Edison Company in 1891, where he experimented differents things, including internal combustion engines and in 1893, he created his first engine.
He became a chief engineer at the Edison Company but shortly after, upon attracting investors (like the Dodge brothers) he founded his "namesake" company on June 16, 1903. The first Ford vehicle was known as the "Model A", assembled at Detroit's Mack Avenue plant from July 23, 1903, to 1904. This marked the beginning of Ford's legacy, which included a series of models from A to S.
Ford Motor Company | Detroit Historical Society
1900 - 1930
1930 : The end of the great migration
From the 1930s in Detroit, a big change happened because of two main reasons: relocation of companies to Detroit and the Great Migration. Detroit was a good place for industry and innovation at this time, and at the same time, the Great Migration brought a lot of African Americans from the Southern U.S. to Detroit in search of jobs in these growing industries. This mix of more industry and new people changed Detroit's economy and society, making it a major American city.
The car industry growing quickly in Detroit in the early 1900s had a big impact on the city. Many jobs were taken by European immigrants but in 1921 and 1924, laws in the U.S. limited how many new immigrants could come in. To fill jobs, car companies like Ford started hiring African Americans, especially during World War I. Many African Americans moved to Detroit from the South for these factory jobs. This big move of workers and families made Detroit's population grow a lot, from 265,000 to 1.5 million between 1900 and 1930, making the city bigger.
1959 : Born of the Motown Records - Berry Gordy
https://www.motownrecords.com/
In 1959, Motown Records was started in Detroit by Berry Gordy Jr. Motown became a leader in the music industry, making popular songs in soul, R&B, and pop. The label had a unique sound and polished production, and it featured talented artists like The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder. Motown quickly became famous around the world and became a cultural icon in the 1960s and beyond.
"First major hit of the label"
"Packard's Closure: Detroit's Turning Point into Decline"
The closure of the Packard automotive plant in 1956 marked a critical moment in Detroit's history. This is the start of economic decline and urban change. When Packard closed, it showed big problems in the car industry, with more competition and people wanting different kinds of cars. At the same time, new highways made suburban living popular, pulling people away from the city and spreading out cities more. Detroit's population and money went down because of this, affecting things like services and roads. The closing of Packard and other car companies also caused a lot of social problems, like more people losing jobs and bigger gaps between different groups of people, especially African Americans. Finally, this period marked the beginning of significant challenges for Detroit.
Major Companies in the Motor City:
Electric Trams Revolutionize Detroit
Detroit experienced a significant innovation with its first electric tram introduced in 1892. Before, streetcars were pulled by horses, operated by the Detroit City Railway Co. along Jefferson Avenue. The shift to electric streetcars marked a transformative period, expanding services along major avenues like Woodward, Gratiot, and Michigan. The Fort Wayne & Elmwood Railway Co., established in 1874, played a crucial role in this transition. By the early 1900s, "electric trolleys" has replaced horse-drawn cars : Detroit began using new technology and technics to improve the urban transportation.
Before the QLine: Detroit's streetcar history (detroitnews.com)
"The Decline of Detroit: A Turning Point in 2013"
According to the 2000 census, Detroit's population was 951,270 residents – the first time since the 1920 census that the city's population fell below 1 million. On July 18, 2013, Detroit became the first major U.S. city to file for bankruptcy, with accumulated debt of approximately $18.5 billion that had become unmanageable. Today, the city is attempting to reverse this decline. There are signs of revitalization in certain neighborhoods, notably downtown and along the riverfront, and relationships with the business community have been restored. Additionally, the Michigan Theater has been converted into a parking structure, symbolizing the challenges faced during this period of decline and transformation.
- Michigan Central Station
- Highland Theater
1908 : Introduction of the Ford Model T, an history shift.
In 1908, Ford changed the car industry with the Model T, also known as the "Tin Lizzie." It was tough, practical, and affordable. Henry Ford's use of assembly line techniques which reduced costs and letting average families afford the Model T. Moreover, it created mass production. He created a new sort of industry : Fordism. The success of the Model T made car ownership popular and helped create modern consumer culture. As production increased and prices dropped, the Model T became a symbol of freedom and mobility, shaping society and setting the stage for mass production and consumption. Ford also rewarded their workers with $5 a day, which helped them afford to buy a Model T
The 67 Riots.
In the summer of 1967 in Detroit, there was a lot of tension and civil rights issues were becoming more serious. Black communities faced discrimination in where they could live, find work, and get healthcare. Many white people were leaving Detroit for the suburbs, which made Detroit neighborhoods more crowded and run-down. One night during that hot summer, July 23, there was trouble in Detroit. Police went to a bar and things got out of control. People were angry about discrimination and unfair treatment. This led to two days of chaos and destruction. Many people were hurt or arrested, and many buildings were damaged. Afterward, the Kerner Commission looked into what happened. They found that racism and segregation were getting worse in America. They said the country was becoming divided into two separate societies, which showed how much work was still needed for civil rights and equality.
https://www.history.com/topics/1960s/1967-detroit-riots