Michigan History

In 1893 many people from around the world and the country came to Chicago to visit the World's Columbian Exposition (also known as the World's Fair.) Among the various exhibits and displays at least three men from Michigan became inspired by a new technological advancement...the gasoline-powered engine. Henry Ford, Ransom Olds and Charles King all became inspired by the engines and came back to Michigan and developed a horseless carriage. Two of the patrons of the World's Fair (Olds and Ford) would go on to mass-produce these new modes of transportation and help Michigan to become America's number one manufacturer of automobiles. The rise of the auto industry is one of the most influential developments of the early 20th century for Michigan as well as America. As the gasoline engine would affect many facets of life of every one from the farmer, the solider, the laborer and wealthy.

During the 20th century the American pendulum of prosperity swung to manic heights only to recede to record lulls. In Michigan the driving force of this pendulum was the automotive industry. While it is incorrect to assume that automotive production was the only industry in Michigan's economy, due to the size of this industry (and the number of people that indirectly gained employment from the auto manufacturing) the rest of the economy followed the automotive industry. As the automotive industry drove the pendulum swing upwards the people of Michigan enjoyed great amounts of economic, social and cultural wealth and growth. As it swung downward, the leaders of Michigan struggled to deal with the massive unemployment rates as well as growing deficits. During the low points the people endured desperate situations as the economic, social and cultural establishments they previously enjoyed deteriorated and violence and poverty increased.

By 1914 the importance of the auto industry in Michigan was clearly evident, according to Dunbar and May the automotive industry was responsible for "36.7 percent of the of the states manufacturing output"(p.442) Because of the good jobs the automotive industry offered many people from all over the country as well as the world came to cities like Detroit, Flint, Kalamazoo and Grand rapids. In between 1910 and 1920 the population grew as much as 32 percent (Dunbar & May p.484.) Such a population increase alone is evidence enough of the value of auto manufacturing. The early peak of the auto industry (1914) boasts a value of $400 million (Dunbar & May p.442.) Much of this early success came by way of the small, simple and cheap automobile that were being mass produced in favor of big, luxurious and powerful cars which enjoyed limited success (such as the Cadillac.)

Michigan would once again see a rapid population increase due to the auto industry's manufacturing abilities to produce products for the war efforts of the Second World War. While during the first war Henry Ford advocated peace saying " the word 'Murderer' should be embroidered on the breast of every solider and every navy sailor" and even embarking on a cross-Atlantic trip to try to bring the warring parties to peace talks, but due to ill health had to be canceled (Dunbar & May p.466.) (As a soldier myself I found Ford's statement as shocking and when I quoted the statement to other fellow soldiers fighting in Iraq most of them