TIMELINE-Kenosha, Wisconsin in auto history (innovations including the steering wheel, the seat belt

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/afx/2009/10/11/afx6988853.html

10.11.09, 03:16 PM EDT

Oct 11 (Reuters) - Kenosha, Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Michigan has a long history in automotive history that will die if a Chrysler engine plant is shut as planned next year. ID:nN08373824

Kenosha claims major innovations in auto history including the steering wheel, the seat belt, and the muscle car.

It was in Kenosha in 1902 that Thomas Jeffrey made a mass-assembly automobile, the Rambler, a year ahead of Henry Ford.

Kenosha was also instrumental in the history of worker rights. Auto workers in Kenosha unionized in 1933, two years before the United Auto Workers was formed.

Kenosha's economy was once dominated by making cars. There were two major assembly plants, one on the lake that was shut two decades ago, and one a mile inland that operates today in a muted manner from the days when workers made Nash, American Motors, Renault ( RNSDY.PK - news - people ) and finally Chrysler cars there.

Kenosha, which has about 100,000 residents, is officially in the Chicago metropolitan area and claims to be the northernmost suburb of Chicago even though it is closer to Milwaukee (about 30 miles) than Chicago (about 55 miles).

FULL story at link.

[BeatleBoot]

1. Management will make the decision by fiat

Fix It Again Tony!

[EC]

2. This is where I live

my grandfather retired from Nash, my father retired from American Motors and my late husband from Crysler...the town was really booming then...but there were many here that couldn't wait to see the end of the blue collar working stiffs and replace them with clerks..it's not good now.

[Brickbat]

3. Funny. Reading around here,

sometimes I think only Toyota has all the good ideas...:eyes: