The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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1864-1950
American automobile inventor who designed the first successful American-made car—the Oldsmobile—in 1896. Olds's first car was a small carriage with a single cylinder, four-cycle engine and a curved dashboard, appropriately named the "Curved Dash Olds." In 1899 he formed the Olds Motor Works with backing from businessman Samuel L. Smith, and by 1904 5,000 Oldsmobiles had been sold. In 1904 Olds parted with Smith to form the REO Motor Car Company. Olds pioneered the progressive assembly method, a precursor to the modern automotive assembly line, but after several years his new company lost ground to its competitors and he turned his attention to other enterprises, including his own brand of lawn mower.