This 1897 Olds was one of the first built by the Olds Motor Vehicle Company. This vehicle is now a part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. The photo is courtesy of the GMC Public Relations.

In writing The Independent Thinker for the December issue of Cars & Parts magazine I learned a number of interesting things about Ransom E. Olds, the Olds in Oldsmobile and the REO in Reo.

Did you know he was responsible for the first mass produced gasoline lawn mower? Another interesting tid bit I picked up was his involvement with Florida land development and in particular the community of Oldsmar.

Then there was his development of a garage turn table that allowed the driver to turn his car so it faced out after entering the garage. This handy little item was installed in his home that in an ironic twist was destroyed to make way for the freeway that bore his name.

Last but not least was the wierd little story about the invasion of his tomb in 1992. Strange times indeed.