Besides being known as the center of the automotive industry in the U.S., the city of Detroit has plenty of historic firsts that don’t have to do with cars. In fact, these seven Detroit firsts are extremely important and revolutionary! Read on and see how many you knew about or which ones are completely new information:

1. The first mile of concrete was made in Detroit.
Carlos Lowry/Flickr
Detroit is known as America's automotive industry, so it makes sense that the first mile of concrete was made in the city. The first construction of concrete began on Woodward Avenue in Detroit. And now, like many cities across the country, you see a lot of what people call "the country jungle."
2. The first assembly line for vehicles was created here.
Alden Jewell/Flickr
The first automotive assembly line was developed in 1913 when Henry Ford thought it was a good idea to put together car parts with labor and movement for faster production. The rest, as they say, is history.
3. The first three-lens traffic light in Detroit.
Andreas Levers/Flickr
William Potts is responsible for creating the first modern, three -ens traffic light in the downtown area. The first light was installed on the corner of Woodward and Michigan Avenues and are ubiquitous all over the world.

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4. The first radio news program was broadcasted in Detroit.
PhotoAtelier/Flickr
In the 1920s the first news program was broadcasted on the radio. At first, the broadcast (which was on Station 8MK), would only play music, until the radio staff collectively worked out a way to broadcast the news. We guess that counts as one of the things “invented” in Detroit?
5. The first individual phone numbers were born.
PRONicolas Nova/Flickr
In 1879, Detroit welcomed the first individual phone numbers to households, so you did not need to ring an operator first to connect to friends and family or connect to a party line.
6. The first Van Gogh to enter a museum.
Kevin Dooley/Flickr
The Detroit Institute of Arts holds the first Van Gogh painting to ever be shown and entered in a U.S. museum. Van Gogh's Self Portrait is one of the DIA's most important and respected pieces.
7. The first African American legend.
Ken Lund/Flickr
There is no doubt that famous boxer Joe Louis is the first African American to reach hero status. He wasn't born in Detroit, but his family moved to the city and it was here that Joe Louis gained his fame as a boxer, holding the heavyweight championship from 1937 to 1949.

Did you know that Detroit was the first to do these things? Are there any other things you know about that Detroit was the first to do? We’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!

You can also check out these unusual and very interesting fun facts about Detroit!

If you’re still in the mood for more Michigan adventures, take a look at this video:

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Lysa Allman-Baldwin | June 07, 2023

Where can we find the best seafood places in Michigan?

  • Gandy Dancer in Ann Arbor serves up some of the best fine seafood cuisine in the state.
  • Streetside Seafood in Birmingham is known for its amazing oysters, whitefish, and tuna tartar.
  • Trout Town Tavern & Eatery in Kalkaska is a popular spot for its delicious selection of trout and perch.

Read on to learn about some of the many other outstanding seafood places in Michigan.

Where can we find antique shops in Michigan?

  • Warehouse One Antiques & Collectibles in Grand Rapids is huge and was once a furniture factory.
  • Wilson Antiques in Traverse City is also huge, encompassing four floors of treasures.
  • The Main Street Antique Mall in Ishpeming features over 40 vendors offering a wide variety of goods.

Read on to learn about some of the many other fun antique shops in Michigan.

Where can we find historic cemeteries in Michigan?

  • Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit is the final resting place for many of the city’s early politicians.
  • Forest Hill Cemetery in Ann Arbor has a stunning entrance built in the Gothic Revival style.
  • Mouth Cemetery in Muskegon County dates back to 1851 and is situated in a pretty remote location.

Read on to learn about some of the many other historic cemeteries in Michigan.

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