Some People Don't Know These 12 Things Came From Detroit
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Marika Kazimierska
Author
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.
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.
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.
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Detroit is known for having the oldest soda in the nation: Vernor's Ginger Ale. Yum!
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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.
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.
Madonna was born in Bay City, Michigan and will forever hold the title as the "Queen of Pop."
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We'd be surprised if you haven't! They were formed in Detroit in 1997. The group consists of Jack White and Meg White.
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."
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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.
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.
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.
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!
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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