[quote PGL0CP12F32J556I]I'll add R.E. Olds to the mix. The guy pioneered the assembly line and low cost car before Henry Ford. And held more than a few patents in his own name.[/quote] Ransome Eli Olds founded his own company, the Olds Motor Works and its most famous product was the so-called curved dash Oldsmobile from 1901. He fell foul of the company's board in 1904, so left and started another company, the Reo Motor Co, named for his initials. Oldsmobile became part of GM in 1908, but Reo went on to build a successful line of quality cars, including the Flying Cloud series of the late '20s. Reo, however was best known for its range of trucks - Reo Speed Wagon is a good example. They merged with Diamond T in 1967.