February 02, 2024
When asked to think about Detroit, what words come to mind? Motown, cars, and coney dogs top the list. Although Detroit, lovingly called the Motor City, is known for its signature automobile industry and next-generation mobility developments, it’s produced quite a few famous “firsts” that have influenced the world we know today.
From the birthplace of Motown Records to the Detroit Institute of Arts acquiring the first Van Gogh painting in a U.S. museum, there’s more to Detroit than meets the eye.
Henry Ford transformed the automobile industry with his moving assembly line at Ford Motor Company’s plant in Highland Park. The assembly plant, nicknamed the “Crystal Palace,” began producing Model T cars in roughly ninety minutes compared to the 12 hours it initially took to build the car’s frame.
Interior of the Detroit Institute of Arts
Despite Vincent Van Gogh being a world-renowned artist and a household name today, American museums were hesitant to own his work in the early 1900’s until the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) purchased a self-portrait of his in 1922.
In 2023, the DIA was crowned the “Best Art Museum” in the USA Today 10Best Awards.
In 1909, the first mile of paved concreate in the U.S. was laid on Woodward Avenue between Six and Seven Mile Roads at the cost of $13,537. A historical marker at the intersection of Woodward Avenue and West Longwood Place marks this significant first, stating “from far and near road builders came to see how concrete stood up under the heavy traffic of that period.”
Red light, green light. The three-color traffic light you know today was developed in Detroit by a local police officer named William Potts. It was installed along Woodward Avenue.
Although a very popular genre of music in Europe, techno was born in Detroit in the 1980s by three high school friends who founded the genre in a garage—lovingly known as The Belleville Three. Techno still makes the city sway to its beat today with the Movement Music Festival, an electronic dance music event held at Hart Plaza that celebrates techno’s birthplace.
Motown Museum
As Taylor Swift sings in her song “London Boy,” “I love my hometown as much as Motown”—with good reason. Motown Records transformed the music industry with its soul and pop classics. In 1959, Berry Gordy founded Motown Records in his modest home.
Over the years, a specific sound known as the “Motown Sound” transpired with the help of talented writers and a band of studio musicians known as The Funk Brothers. You can thank Motown Records for famous hits from Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, The Temptations, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, and Stevie Wonder.
Today, Motown is still celebrated in Detroit at the original headquarters and music recording studio for Motown Records—in the form of the Motown Museum.
Lastly, one must not overlook the professional sports scene in the city (Go Lions!). Detroit is one of only four metropolitan areas with a team in each of the four major professional sports leagues (NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB). Plus, the venues—Ford Field, Little Caesars Arena, and Comerica Park—are within a few blocks of each other.
Written by Sabrina Cynova, Detroit Regional Chamber
