Factory Demo Derby

Alvar K. Ternstedt, a native of Sweeden, is best known as the inventor of the first practical car window regulator. In 1911, Ternstedt applied for a patent on his invention. It was finally granted in 1916.

Now, instead of a plant site in Flint, Mich., named after Ternstedt, as well as the Fisher Body, sits a storage facility for parts gondola. The Fisher plant was named after the seven Fisher brothers, four of whom were on the company’s Board. They were all sons of Lawrence Fisher, a carriage maker in the late 19th and 20th Centuries.

This once bustling factory, where several of our neighbors and friends worked, slowly left the General Motors family as GM dissolved Fisher Body in 1984.

Albert Champion would be amazed if he only could see what became of his beloved firing kilns used to fire the ceramic spark plugs and tiles his company once produced. Originally, he sold it to Dallas Dort, and then gained back control when Dort’s health failed. Eventually, Daddy GM bought Champion out and the rest is history. The Harriet Street plant was raised in 1975, until the Dort Highway and Flint East operations ceased after Delphi failed.

This, along with numerous others in Flint, are but wispy memories and future archaeological dig sites for scientists 2,000 years from now. “Wow, will you look at the size of this bolt I found.” “You should see this ceramic piece I discovered, must have a primitive eating utensil.”

All of this is just a rambling piece of trash, unless we remember that General Motors is in business and does not owe Flint one single job or any more plants. One should reflect on the countless thousands who thrived and raise their families through the oversight of GM. And please don’t criticize the slogan of “Generous Motors,” for I have heard the term throughout my life. It’s as true now as it was when I was a young lad.”

Tomorrow: Chevy in the hole (Delphi West) and Buick City.