1904 Cadillac

Henry Leland was the founder of Cadillac. He made an extremely important contribution to the world: standardized automobile parts. He figured out that if automobile parts were a standard size and construction, then producing the cars would be faster and cheaper. This innovative idea earned Henry Leland a spot in the Inventor's Hall of Fame, and a very special award, called the Dewar Trophy, back in 1908. The idea of standardization applies to the manufacturing of things other than cars too. But with standardization, great strides were made in  the mass production of automobiles, ultimately leading to Ford's assembly line, another remarkable American invention. Henry Ford made Cadillac, and he made an invention that changed the world.

The 1904 Cadillac is a rear-entry tonneau. Tonneau is the french word for barrel, and it usually refers to an open car like this. There is a door in the back of the car. The driver could back up the car to a raised wooden sidewalk, and passengers could easily get in the car and out of the car, without concern for dirty or muddy streets. Remember, in those days the streets were unpaved and women's dresses were long, corseted and elaborate!