R. E. Olds in a Curved-Dash Oldsmobile near the Pavilion on Belle Isle, Detroit, Michigan, January, 1902

Ransom E. Olds, born in Ohio in 1864, moved to Lansing, Michigan, as a young man and became fascinated with automobiles. He established his own car company in 1897. Olds's Curved Dash runabout (1901-1907) became a bestseller, but Olds left his firm during a management dispute. General Motors bought the company in 1908 and kept the Oldsmobile brand alive until 2004.