A patent on a ‘carriage with gasoline engine’ is granted to Friedrich Benz of Germany. A year later, Gottlieb Daimler, also of Germany, unveils his internal combustion invention which has more horsepower than Benz’ machine. Who is the inventor or who is the innovator is a topic that is still hotly debated today.

All that is known is that the automotive era is born. Incidentally, it more or less became a moot point in 1926 when the legacy of both men merged into a car company of some note - Mercedes-Benz.

1893

The federal government establishes, the U.S. Office of Road Inquiry - known today as the National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration (NHTSA). Oddly enough, it was formed at the urging of many bicycling organizations throughout the nation.

1896

The fledgling American automotive manufacturing business takes off when the Duryea Brothers mass produce 13 automobiles.

1899

First recorded car accident occurs when a Duryea vehicle collides with a bicyclist. Both participants were repair. Hence, this is this first documented need for an automotive collision repair center.

1902

Ditzler Color Company begins manufacturing coatings specifically for the automotive market.

1902

Cadillac Motors begins operations. This new company is also Ditzler’s first automotive coatings customer. The shareholders of the Henry Ford Company become impatient and ousted Mr. Ford in favor of Henry Leland. The name of the new company is taken from Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, the first European settler to preside over the area known in French as “D’etroit” (day-twah) or “Of the Straits.”

1902

American Automobile Association (AAA) is formed in Chicago.

1903

After having shaken off the disappointment of being let go from his own namesake company, Henry Ford re-emerges with the Ford Motor Company. This time, however, Ford secures his position by retaining a controlling interest. Ditzler is a major paint supplier to the

Ford Motor Company, especially during the heyday of the Model T. It was during this time that Ford reportedly said, “you can have any color car you want as long as it’s black.” This was not because Henry disliked color. On the contrary, the black paint he was using had faster drying qualities than other colors. Ford loved cars, but he loved high productivity even more. This hyper sense of production helped Henry set a car-building record of two million vehicles of the same make in 1923 that still stands today.

1914

First manually operated traffic light installed in Detroit, MI. Later that year, a pole-mounted electric version controls the intersecting traffic at 105th and Euclid Avenues in Cleveland, OH.

1916

Former bicycle manufacturers and early major suppliers of precision-engineered automotive components to the Ford Motor Company, the Dodge Brothers begin producing their own vehicles. In 1928, Walter P. Chrysler bought the company’s assets and melded several other car lines together to form the Chrysler Corporation.

1920

Now familiar wire-suspended traffic lights hang over the streets of Detroit. The list of interesting historical facts could literally go on forever, but we all get the message - the automotive world was different back then. Were the old days better or worse is a matter of opinion and perspective. What is for sure is that PPG Automotive Finishes, whether known as Ditzler or PPG, continues to be on the forefront of innovation in product, application and business development for the collision repair center of today and tomorrow.