| History Dodge Brothers Dodge, Horace E.; and Dodge, John F., b. May 17, 1868, Niles, Mich., U.S. d. Dec. 10, 1920 b. Oct. 25, 1864, Niles, Mich., U.S. d. Jan. 14, 1920, New York, N.Y. in full HORACE ELGIN DODGE AND JOHN FRANCIS DODGE. Respectively American brothers, automobile manufacturers who invented one of the first all-steel cars in America.Bicycles were the first vehicles produced by the Dodge brothers. In 1901 they opened a machine shop in Detroit, making stove parts and, later, auto parts. The Dodge Brothers Company in 1910 established a large auto-parts plant in Hamtramck, Mich. There the brothers made engines and other auto parts for the Ford Motor Company and for Olds Motor Works. In 1913 they began producing their own automobiles, and the first Dodge automobile appeared on Nov. 14, 1914. Horace Dodge was responsible for a number of manufacturing innovations, including an oven that could bake enamel onto steel auto bodies. By 1920, the year in which both brothers died, Dodge was one of the industry's largest companies. The Dodge concern was purchased by Chrysler Corporation in 1928 and remains a division of Chrysler. 1914 - Dodge Brothers begun July 17 - Dodge Brothers Inc. formed. Begin working on bringing out the Dodge Brothers car. November 14 - First Dodge Brothers car rolls off the line. When asked why the Dodge Brothers wanted to build their own car, John Dodge replied, "Just think of all the Ford owners who will someday want an automobile." Dodge Brothers end contract with Ford Motor Company as Ford begins building it own engines. 1916: Dodge Brothers adopts Budd-built all-steel body for touring cars. 1917 First Dodge Brothers commercial car built in October. 1920: January 14 - John Francis Dodge dies. December 10 - Horace Elgin Dodge dies. Frederick J. Haynes becomes president of Dodge Brothers Inc 1921 Dodge Brothers and Graham Brothers sign an agreement whereby Graham Brothers will use Dodge Brothers engines and sell their trucks through Dodge Brothers dealers. Production of Graham Brothers Trucks begins at Hamtamck, MI. 1923: Dodge Brothers introduces all-steel sedan body. Dodge Brothers Inc. purchased by banking firm, Dillon, Read & Co. for $146,000,000 from the widows of the Dodge brothers. 1924: 1 millionth Dodge Brothers car 1925: October 1 - Dodge Brothers Inc. purchases 51% of Graham Brothers, Inc., with plants in Evansville, IN and Stockton, CA. Ray A. Graham becomes general manager, Joseph C. Graham becomes vice-president of manufacturing and Robert C. Graham becomes sales manager of Dodge Brothers Inc. Edward J. Wilmer appointed president of Dodge Brothers Inc.. as Frederick J. Haynes becomes chairman of the board. 1926 May 1 - Dodge Brothers Inc. purchases remaining 49% of Graham Brothers Inc. 1928: Plymouth and DeSoto formed; Chrysler buys Dodge July 31 - Chrysler purchases Dodge Brothers Inc., manufacturers of Dodge Brothers cars and trucks, and Graham Brothers trucks. Main plants and forge facilities in Hamtramck, MI, with assembly plants in Stockton, CA, Evansville, IN and a CKD plant in Toronto, ON., plus land on Lynch Road, the future site of the Plymouth plant. Walter P. Chrysler is president of Dodge Brothers Corporation and K.T.Keller is general manager. Frederick J. Haynes and Edward J. Wilmer leave Dodge Brothers upon purchase of company by Chrysler Corporation. 2 millionth Dodge Brothers car 1930: Graham Brothers Truck and Dodge Brothers Truck become Dodge Truck and the Dodge Brothers car becomes Dodge. Both, however, continue to use the Dodge Brothers Star of David emblem to the end of the 1938 model year. Dodge introduced an eight cylinder model. K.T.Keller names president of Dodge Brothers Motor Corporation. 1933 Dodge Truck assembly shifted from Stockton, CA to LosAngeles, CA, plant. Last year for Dodge straight-eight engine. 1935: Dodge introduces a Plymouth-based export market Dodge (model DV), assembled at Lynch Road. 1936 3 millionth Dodge car 1937: Dodge cars assembled at Evansville, IN, plant for 1937 and 1938. |
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