Overview

At the start of the Ford Motor Company in 1903, the Dodge Brothers supplied nearly every car part needed by the up-and-coming auto giant. After fifteen years of operating a successful automotive supplier company, John and Horace Dodge again changed the face of the automotive market in 1914 by introducing their own car. The Dodge Brothers automobile carried on their names even after their untimely deaths in 1920, which led to its sale in 1925 to New York bankers and subsequent purchase in 1928 by Walter Chrysler. Hyde not only details the brothers' lives and influence on automotive manufacturing and marketing trends in the early part of the twentieth century but also their civic contributions to Detroit, their hiring of African Americans and women, and their often anonymous charitable contributions to local organizations. Despite their achievements and their critical role in the early success of Henry Ford, John and Horace Dodge are usually overlooked in histories of the early automotive industry, but Hyde has put them front and center again to appropriately credit their lasting legacy.

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9780814332474

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Reviews

"The critical importance of John and Horace Dodge, from their childhood in Niles to their company's merger with the Chrysler Corporation in 1928, is illustrated in this well-researched automotive history."" - Mary Jane Happy, Heritage Newspapers ""Written by Professor Charles K. Hyde, who last year brought us the acclaimed history of Chrysler, Riding the Roller Coaster. Hyde leaves no stone unturned in his chronicle of two of the industry's most important pioneers. Thoroughly researched, the focus is squarely on the men, their contributions, and the legacy they have given to the auto world."" - Old Cars Magazine ""Charles Hyde has written a scholarly but very accessible account of the personal histories, manufacturing operations, and legacy of John and Horace Dodge. The book is carefully documented and contains useful endnotes and numerous illustrations including cartoons, product advertisements, and photos of factories, cars, yachts, and mansions. Charles Hyde concludes this informative work with thoughtful remarks on the previously overlooked legacy of the Dodge brothers, their company, and their motor cars."" - Michigan Historical Review ""True, the Dodge brothers and their company were historically important because of their contributions to rise of Ford and then Chrysler. But Hyde makes it clear that the Dodge brothers were very important manufacturers in their own right. He has written the definitive history of both the men and their firm."" - Larry D. Lankton, Michigan Technological University"

"Charles Hyde has written a scholarly but very accessible account of the personal histories, manufacturing operations, and legacy of John and Horace Dodge. The book is carefully documented and contains useful endnotes and numerous illustrations including cartoons, product advertisements, and photos of factories, cars, yachts, and mansions. Charles Hyde concludes this informative work with thoughtful remarks on the previously overlooked legacy of the Dodge brothers, their company, and their motor cars.""-- ""Michigan Historical Review"" The critical importance of John and Horace Dodge, from their childhood in Niles to their company's merger with the Chrysler Corporation in 1928, is illustrated in this well-researched automotive history.""--Mary Jane Happy ""Heritage Newspapers"" True, the Dodge brothers and their company were historically important because of their contributions to rise of Ford and then Chrysler. But Hyde makes it clear that the Dodge brothers were very important manufacturers in their own right. He has written the definitive history of both the men and their firm.""--Larry D. Lankton ""Michigan Technological University"" Written by Professor Charles K. Hyde, who last year brought us the acclaimed history of Chrysler, Riding the Roller Coaster. Hyde leaves no stone unturned in his chronicle of two of the industry's most important pioneers. Thoroughly researched, the focus is squarely on the men, their contributions, and the legacy they have given to the auto world.-- ""Old Cars Magazine"""

Author Information

Charles K. Hyde is professor emeritus of history at Wayne State University. He has authored numerous books, including Arsenal of Democracy: The American Automobile Industry in World War II and Riding the Roller Coaster: A History of the Chrysler Corporation (both Wayne State University Press), the latter of which was selected as a Michigan Notable Book by the Library of Michigan.

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