Ransom E. Olds

Ransom E. Olds
Portrait of Olds, c 1920
Born
Ransom Eli Olds

(1864-06-03)June 3, 1864
Geneva, Ohio, U.S.
DiedAugust 26, 1950(1950-08-26) (aged 86)
Resting placeMount Hope Cemetery
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Occupation(s)Business, Automobiles
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMetta Ursula Woodward
Parent(s)Pliny Fiske Olds and Sarah Whipple Olds

Ransom Eli Olds (June 3, 1864 – August 26, 1950) was a pioneer of the American automotive industry, after whom the Oldsmobile and REO brands were named. He claimed to have built his first steam car as early as 1887 and his first gasoline-powered car in 1896. The modern assembly line and its basic concept is credited to Olds, who used it to build the first mass-produced automobile, the Oldsmobile Curved Dash, beginning in 1901.[1]

  1. ^ Michigan Yesterday & Today. Voyageur Press. 2009. ISBN 9781616731380.