Everyone knows Detroit as the center of the American automotive industry, rightfully giving it the nickname “Motor City.” However, there are so many more things that came from Detroit and we’d like to celebrate the geniuses who helped improve the city and the rest of the world.
- We have the first mile of concrete highway.
Bob Julius/Flickr The first mile of concrete highway in the world was paved in 1909. You’ll find it between Six Mile and Seven Mile roads in Wayne County.
- We also are home to the first urban freeway.
Doug Kerr/Flickr The Davison Freeway was the first urban freeway in the U.S. and is approximately five and a half miles long. Now known as M-8, the freeway lies within the cities of Detroit and Highland Park.
- We have the nation’s oldest soda.
Derek Bruff/Flickr Detroit is known for having the oldest soda in the nation: Vernor’s Ginger Ale. Yum!
- Motown music was born here.
Ted Eytan/Flickr Motown music changed America and it all started right here in Detroit. Motown Records has had a significant influence on people both in town and far away to this day.
- Let’s not forget about techno… that was started here, too.
Michael Mayer/Flickr Yes, techno music emerged in Detroit. While there are many styles and of this unique genre, Detroit techno is seen as the heart of them all.
- Speaking of music…
Christina/Flickr Madonna was born in Bay City, Michigan and will forever hold the title as the “Queen of Pop.”
- Ever heard of The White Stripes?
Richard Riley/Flickr We’d be surprised if you haven’t! They were formed in Detroit in 1997. The group consists of Jack White and Meg White.
- And we can’t forget the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin!
IIP Photo Archive/Flickr Aretha Franklin and her family permanently relocated to Detroit when she was a young child. Since then, she’s given us incredible hits like “Respect,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Women,” and “Think.”
- Oh yeah, and Stevie Wonder.
Thomas Hawk/Flickr Stevie Wonder was born in Saginaw, Michigan, in 1950. He is considered an absolute prodigy, as he has been blind since early childhood, yet his mastery of many instruments and made him one of the most successful musical performers of the late 20th century.
- Detroit is believed to be the first city to broadcast regular news reports.
Chris Heidenreich/Flickr WWJ, formerly known as 8MK, is believed to be the first radio station to broadcast news reports regularly. It is currently Michigan’s only all-news commercial radio station.
- We had the first three-color traffic light.
::ErWin/Flickr With an increasing number of cars on the road, Detroit police officer William L. Potts decided to create a signal system. Potts used red, yellow, and green railroad lights - the first design to include a yellow yield light - with electrical controls to invent the world’s first three-colored used at a four-way intersection, which was located at Woodward and Michigan Avenue.
- The modern assembly line was created in Detroit.
Alden Jewell/Flickr As the Motor City, this one shouldn’t come as a surprise. The modern assembly line is credited to Ransom Olds, who successfully built the first mass-produced automobile, called the Oldsmobile Curved Dash, which was produced between 1901-1907.
Did you know that these awesome things came straight from Detroit? Can you name any other things that were created in Motor City? Let us know!
Bob Julius/Flickr
The first mile of concrete highway in the world was paved in 1909. You’ll find it between Six Mile and Seven Mile roads in Wayne County.
Doug Kerr/Flickr
The Davison Freeway was the first urban freeway in the U.S. and is approximately five and a half miles long. Now known as M-8, the freeway lies within the cities of Detroit and Highland Park.
Derek Bruff/Flickr
Detroit is known for having the oldest soda in the nation: Vernor’s Ginger Ale. Yum!
Ted Eytan/Flickr
Motown music changed America and it all started right here in Detroit. Motown Records has had a significant influence on people both in town and far away to this day.
Michael Mayer/Flickr
Yes, techno music emerged in Detroit. While there are many styles and of this unique genre, Detroit techno is seen as the heart of them all.
Christina/Flickr
Madonna was born in Bay City, Michigan and will forever hold the title as the “Queen of Pop.”
Richard Riley/Flickr
We’d be surprised if you haven’t! They were formed in Detroit in 1997. The group consists of Jack White and Meg White.
IIP Photo Archive/Flickr
Aretha Franklin and her family permanently relocated to Detroit when she was a young child. Since then, she’s given us incredible hits like “Respect,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Women,” and “Think.”
Thomas Hawk/Flickr
Stevie Wonder was born in Saginaw, Michigan, in 1950. He is considered an absolute prodigy, as he has been blind since early childhood, yet his mastery of many instruments and made him one of the most successful musical performers of the late 20th century.
Chris Heidenreich/Flickr
WWJ, formerly known as 8MK, is believed to be the first radio station to broadcast news reports regularly. It is currently Michigan’s only all-news commercial radio station.
::ErWin/Flickr
With an increasing number of cars on the road, Detroit police officer William L. Potts decided to create a signal system. Potts used red, yellow, and green railroad lights - the first design to include a yellow yield light - with electrical controls to invent the world’s first three-colored used at a four-way intersection, which was located at Woodward and Michigan Avenue.
Alden Jewell/Flickr
As the Motor City, this one shouldn’t come as a surprise. The modern assembly line is credited to Ransom Olds, who successfully built the first mass-produced automobile, called the Oldsmobile Curved Dash, which was produced between 1901-1907.
If you’re interested in more historical facts about Detroit, check out this list of things the city was the first to do.
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