{"id":72023,"date":"2023-08-10T08:47:55","date_gmt":"2023-08-10T12:47:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dodgegarage.com\/news-api\/?p=72023"},"modified":"2024-03-25T11:19:45","modified_gmt":"2024-03-25T15:19:45","slug":"history-of-the-dodge-brand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.api.dodgegarage.com\/news\/heritage\/2023\/08\/history-of-the-dodge-brand.html","title":{"rendered":"History of the Dodge Brand"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Dodge brand\u2019s storied history dates back nearly 110 years, and it all began in the small town of Niles, Michigan. John Dodge, the eldest of the Dodge brothers, was born in 1864<\/strong>, while his younger brother Horace was born four years later in 1868.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dodge brothers\u2019 portrait – John (left) and Horace (right) <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

During their younger years, the idea of fast cars wasn\u2019t on the Dodge brothers\u2019 radar, but instead, in 1896<\/strong>, Horace was applying for patents for a dirt-resistant bicycle bearing. Just one year later, in 1897<\/strong>, production for the Evans & Dodge Bicycle Company began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(left): A drawing of the Dodge’s bicycle bearing patent. (Right): The logo on the Evans & Dodge bicycle.\u00a0Horace and John Dodge worked with Fred Evans to sell the new bicycle featuring the Dodge-patented ball bearing system. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Already mechanically inclined, in 1901<\/strong>, the Dodge brothers started what would be the largest machine shop in Detroit through their budding bicycle business. A short time later, in 1902<\/strong>, the brothers pivoted to supplying engines, transmissions and axles to major customers like Oldsmobile and Northern. The following year, in 1903<\/strong>, a new partnership emerged with automobile industry newcomer Ford Motor Company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Evans & Dodge bicycle was made possible by a ball bearing patent awarded to the Dodge brothers in 1896. The E and D bike was available for several years at the turn of the century. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In 1914,<\/strong> the brothers decided it was time to part ways with Ford and introduce their own car. The first Dodge vehicle, built on an all-steel body (the first of its kind), left the plant on Nov. 14, 1914, <\/strong>and by the end of the year, 249 Dodge vehicles were built.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Horace Dodge (left rear) and John Dodge (right rear) take delivery of the first Dodge car, November 14, 1914. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

By 1915, <\/strong>Dodge ranked third among America’s\nbest-selling automakers. Known for “dependability,\u201d Dodge also offered\na “winter car” with a removable hardtop and snap-on side glass. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the next five years, the brothers produced commercial, civilian and military trucks, along with a 1,155mm (about 3.79 ft) gun recoil system for the Allied armies during WWI. In 1919,<\/strong> Dodge built its 400,000th vehicle, producing a yearly total of more than 100,000 units, all while introducing the brand\u2019s first four-door sedan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1915 Dodge brothers winter car <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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1915 Dodge Touring 4-door <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In 1920<\/strong>,\nat the close of the global flu pandemic that caused more than 550,000 deaths in\nthe U.S. and more than 20 million worldwide in just one year, tragedy struck\nhome. Both John and Horace passed away from influenza. At that time, Dodge was\nthe second best-selling car in America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the 1920s<\/strong>, the Dodge Brothers Motor Car Company opened its first Canadian plant, surpassed 200,000 vehicles made in a calendar year, produced its 1 millionth Dodge automobile and was acquired by the Chrysler Corporation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Courtesy Reception Room at the Dodge Main plant in Hamtramck, Michigan, circa 1920s. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

By 1930<\/strong>, Dodge began production of its first eight-cylinder engine and offered its first factory car radio. The company surpassed 3 million vehicles built and introduced 25th<\/sup> anniversary models with new fastback styling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n