The History of American Cars — From Model T to Motels

Around the time Henry Ford was building his first car, so was Ransom Olds, father of the famous American Oldsmobile. But it was Ford who would establish the forty hour working week within his factories and introduce mass production via his moving assembly lines, heralding a new era for industry. The United States embraced the motor car in a big way, and by the mid nineteen sixties, no one walked anywhere anymore. The country that gave us the shopping mall also gave us the parking lot, and drive-through convenience. It seemed like just about anything could be done in a car, from watching movies to dining to traveling long distance, as with the popularity of the motor car came Motor Inns, also called Motels!

Added 1 May 2026