Misplaced Pages

Fisher Body: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 15:57, 1 December 2016 editSeicer (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users20,321 editsm CleanupTag: Visual edit← Previous edit Latest revision as of 05:08, 11 December 2024 edit undo68.5.248.159 (talk) Add commas and (CPC) to the two GM groups formed in 1984. 
(108 intermediate revisions by 59 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Automobile coachbuilder and division of General Motors}}
{{Coord|42.3687332|-83.0624737|region:US-MI_type:landmark|display=title}}
{{Coord|42.369|-83.063|region:US-MI_type:landmark|display=title}}
'''Fisher Body''' was an ] ] founded by the Fisher brothers in 1908 in ], ]; it was a division of General Motors for many years, but in 1984 was dissolved into other General Motors divisions. Fisher & Company (originally Alrowa Metal Products) continues to use the name.<ref name="fisherco.com">http://www.fisherco.com/</ref> The name was well known to the public, as General Motors vehicles displayed a "Body by Fisher" emblem on their door sill plates until the mid-1990s.
{{Infobox company
]
| name = Fisher Body
| logo = FisherBodyLogo.jpg
| type = Division of ]
| industry = ]
| fate = Dissolved by GM
| predecessor = <!-- or: | predecessors = -->
| successor = <!-- or: | successors = -->
| founded = {{Start date and age|1908|7|22}} in ], Michigan, United States
| founders = Fred Fisher, Charles Fisher
| defunct = {{End date|1984}}
| hq_location_city = Detroit, Michigan
| hq_location_country = U.S.
| area_served = <!-- or: | areas_served = -->
| key_people =
| products =
| owner = <!-- or: | owners = -->
| num_employees =
| num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) -->
| parent =
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
}}
'''Fisher Body''' was an ] ] founded by the Fisher brothers in 1908 in ].


In 1984, General Motors dissolved its Fisher Body Division &mdash; as part of its extensive North American restructuring. Eight parts-making facilities from within the Fisher division were combined with the Guide division, which manufactured headlights and plastic parts, to form the Fisher Guide Division. Other plants formerly operated by Fisher were reorganized to become the Chevrolet, Pontiac, GM of Canada (CPC) and the Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac (BOC) groups.<ref name="breakup">{{cite news
== Fisher Brothers ==
|title = Fisher Unit Breakup Completed
] designed by architect ].<ref name="det"> from the City of Detroit Planning and Development Department.</ref>]]
|newspaper = ]
Fisher Body's beginnings trace back to a horse-drawn carriage shop in ], in the late 1800s. Lawrence P. Fisher (December 14, 1852 in Peru, Ohio – March 21, 1921, Norwalk, Ohio) and his wife Margaret Theisen (January 8, 1857 in ], Germany – October 13, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan) had a large family of eleven children; seven were sons who would become part of the Fisher Body Company in Detroit. Lawrence and Margaret were married in ], on May 11, 1876. Margaret Theisen Fisher resided at 101 Longfellow St., Detroit after her husband died.
|last=Holusha |first=John
|date = July 4, 1984
|url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1984/07/04/043616.html?pageNumber=44}}</ref>

The name and its iconic "Body by Fisher" logo were widely known, as General Motors vehicles (except the fiberglass Chevrolet Corvette which got a "Body by Chevrolet" tag) each displayed a "Body by Fisher" emblem on their door sill plates until Fisher Body's demise.

== Fisher brothers ==
], designed by architect ]<ref name="det"> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716102929/http://www.ci.detroit.mi.us/historic/districts/boston_edison.pdf |date=July 16, 2011 }} from the City of Detroit Planning and Development Department.</ref>]]
Fisher Body's beginnings trace back to a horse-drawn carriage shop in ], in the late 1800s. Lawrence P. Fisher (1852 Peru, Ohio – 1921, Norwalk, Ohio) and his wife Margaret Theisen (1857 ], Germany – 1936 Detroit, Michigan) had a large family of eleven children; seven were sons who would become part of the Fisher Body Company in Detroit. Lawrence and Margaret were married in ], in 1876. Margaret Theisen Fisher lived in Detroit after her husband died.


The Fisher brothers were: The Fisher brothers were:
# ] (January 2, 1878 – July 14, 1941) - 54 Arden Park, Detroit # Frederick John Fisher (1878–1941)
# ] (February 16, 1880 – August 8, 1963) - 670 W. Boston Blvd., Detroit # ] (1880–1963)
# William Andrew Fisher (1886–1969)
# ] (September 21, 1886 – December 1969) - 111 Edison Ave., Detroit
# Lawrence P. Fisher (1888–1961)
# ] (October 19, 1888 in Norwalk, Ohio – September 3, 1961 in Detroit, Michigan) - 383 Lenox St., Detroit
# ] (February 23, 1891 – January 17, 1972) - 892 W. Boston Blvd., Detroit # Edward F. Fisher (1891–1972)
# ] (December 7, 1892 – October 9, 1963) - 1556 Chicago Blvd, Detroit. # Alfred J. Fisher (1892–1963)
# ] (March 10, 1902 – April 13, 1942) # Howard A. Fisher (1902–1942)


== History == == History ==
In 1904 and 1905, the two eldest brothers, Fred and Charles, came to Detroit where their uncle ] had established Standard Wagon Works during the latter part of the 1880s. The brothers found work at the C. R. Wilson Company, a manufacturer of horse-drawn carriage bodies that was beginning to make bodies for the automobile manufacturers. With financing from their uncle, on July 22, 1908 Fred and Charles Fisher established the Fisher Body Company. Their uncle soon wanted out and the brothers obtained the needed funds from Detroit businessman Louis Mendelssohn who became a shareholder and director. Within a short period of time, Charles and Fred Fisher brought their five younger brothers into the business. In 1904 and 1905, the two eldest brothers, Fred and Charles, came to Detroit where their uncle ] had established Standard Wagon Works during the latter part of the 1880s. The brothers found work at the C. R. Wilson Company, a manufacturer of horse-drawn carriage bodies that was beginning to make bodies for automobile manufacturers. With financing from their uncle, on July 22, 1908, Fred and Charles Fisher established the Fisher Body Company. Their uncle soon wanted out, and the brothers obtained the needed funds from businessman ] who became a shareholder and director. Soon Charles and Fred Fisher brought their five younger brothers into the business.


Prior to forming the company, Fred Fisher had built the body of the Cadillac Osceola at the C. R. Wilson Company. Starting in 1910, Fisher became the supplier of all closed bodies for ], and also built for ]. Prior to forming the company, Fred Fisher had built the first closed-body coupe, the 1905 Cadillac Osceola at the C. R. Wilson Company. The Osceola was requested by Cadillac founder Henry M. Leland to determine the feasibility of a car body that was closed to the elements. It was built on the chassis of the 1905 ].<ref>{{cite web |title=1905 Cadillac Osceola |url=http://www.autoconcept-reviews.com/cars_reviews/cadillac/cadillac-osceola-coupe-1905/cars_reviews-cadillac-osceola-coupe-1905.html |website=Auto Concept Reviews.com |access-date=6 December 2020}}</ref> Starting in 1910, Fisher became the supplier of all closed bodies for ], ], ] and ].


In the early years of the company, the Fisher Brothers had to develop new body designs because the "horseless carriage" bodies did not have the strength to withstand the vibration of the new motorcars. By 1913, the Fisher Body Company had the capacity to produce 100,000 cars per year and customers included: ], ], ], ], and ]. Highly successful, they expanded into Canada, setting up a plant in ], and by 1914 their operations had grown to become the world's largest manufacturer of auto bodies. One reason for their success was the development of interchangeable wooden body parts that did not require hand-fitting, as was the case in the construction of carriages. This required the design of new precision woodworking tools. In the early years of the company, the Fisher Brothers had to develop new body designs because the "horseless carriage" bodies lacked the strength to withstand the vibration of the new motorcars. By 1913, the Fisher Body Company had the capacity to produce 100,000 cars per year and customers included: ], ], ], ], and ]. Highly successful, they expanded into Canada, establishing a plant in ]. By 1914 their operations had grown to become the world's largest manufacturer of auto bodies. One reason for their success was the development of interchangeable wooden body parts that did not require hand-fitting, as was the case in the construction of carriages. This required the design of new precision woodworking tools.


The Fisher Body and Buick Chassis were built in Saint John New Brunswick Canada in the 1920s. The Fisher Body and Buick chassis were built in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, in the 1920s.{{Citation needed|reason=Unreferenced, like the rest of it.|date=June 2019}}


=== Fisher Body Corporation and General Motors === === Fisher Body Corporation and General Motors ===
] ]
In 1916, the company became the Fisher Body Corporation. Its capacity was 370,000 bodies per year and its customers included ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. In 1916, the company became the Fisher Body Corporation. Its capacity was 370,000 bodies per year and its customers included ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ].


The company constructed the now-abandoned ]-designed Fisher Body 21, on Piquette Street, in Detroit, in 1919. The building is now part of the ]. At the time, the company had more than 40 buildings encompassing 3,700,000&nbsp;square feet (344,000 m²) of floor space. The company constructed the now-abandoned ]-designed<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peek |first=Jeff |date=2022-09-07 |title=How Detroit's transportation landmarks are—or aren't—being saved from ruin |url=https://www.hagerty.com/media/automotive-history/how-detroits-transportation-landmarks-are-or-arent-being-saved-from-ruin/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=Hagerty Media |language=en-US}}</ref> Fisher Body Plant 21 (commonly misattributed to ], who designed the historic landmark ]), on Piquette Street, in Detroit, in 1919. The building is now part of the ] and is being revived by Detroit developers Greg Jackson and Richard Hosey and architecture firm McIntosh Poris Architects as Fisher 21 Lofts, a mixed-use project combining 433 apartments and commercial spaces.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-18 |title=An auto plant in Detroit to get a retread as mixed-use housing |url=https://www.bdcnetwork.com/auto-plant-detroit-get-retread-mixed-use-housing |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=Building Design + Construction |language=en}}</ref> At the time, Fisher had more than 40 buildings encompassing 3,700,000&nbsp;square feet (344,000 m<sup>2</sup>) of floor space.


*Fisher Body - West Fort & Livernois *]Fisher Body West Fort & Livernois
*Fisher Body Plant 2 (wood kiln)- St. Antoine *Fisher Body Plant 2 (wood kiln) St. Antoine
*Fisher Body Plant 4 - Oakland Ave. *Fisher Body Plant 4 Oakland Ave.
*Fisher Body Plant 12 -1961 E. Milwaukee *Fisher Body Plant 12 1961 E. Milwaukee
*Fisher Body Plant 18 (aka Cadillac Fleetwood Plant)- West End Ave *Fisher Body Plant 18 (aka Cadillac Fleetwood Plant) West End Ave
*Fisher Plant 21 - 700 Piquette *Fisher Plant 21 700 Piquette
*Fisher Plant 23 - 601 Piquette *Fisher Plant 23 601 Piquette
*Fisher Plant 37 - 950 E Milwaukee @ Hastings *Fisher Plant 37 950 E. Milwaukee at Hastings


In a 1919 deal put together by president ], General Motors bought 60% of the company. The Fisher company purchased ] in 1925, and in 1926 was integrated entirely as an in-house coachbuilding division of General Motors. Fisher Body Division dissolved in 1984, with some of its plants taken over by the newly created Fisher Guide Division (later Inland Fisher Guide), and the remaining facilities absorbed by other GM operations. In a 1919 deal put together by president ], General Motors bought 60% of the company. The Fisher company purchased ] in 1925, and in 1926 was integrated entirely as an in-house coachbuilding division of General Motors. Fisher Body Division was dissolved in 1984, with some of its plants taken over by the newly created Fisher Guide Division (later Inland Fisher Guide), and the remaining facilities absorbed by other GM operations.


Founded in 1947 by members of the Fisher family, ''Fisher & Company'' continues to use the famous name, with such divisions as Fisher Dynamics.<ref name="fisherco.com"/> Founded in 1947 by members of the Fisher family, ''Fisher & Company'' continues to use the name, with such divisions as Fisher Dynamics.<ref name="fisherco.com">{{Cite web |url=https://www.fisherco.com/ |title=Fisher Dynamics |website=Fisher Dynamics}}</ref>


=== Extent of Operations === === Extent of operations ===
From its beginning in the "horseless carriage shop" in Norwalk, Ohio, to its sale in 1919 and 1926 to General Motors, the Fisher Body Company was built by the Fisher brothers into one of the world's largest manufacturing companies. From its beginning in the "horseless carriage shop" in Norwalk, Ohio, to its sale in 1919 and 1926 to General Motors, the Fisher Body Company was built by the Fisher brothers into one of the world's largest manufacturing companies.


The company owned {{convert|160000|acre|km2}} of timberland and used more wood, carpet, tacks, and thread than any other manufacturer in the world. It had more than 40 plants and employed more than 100,000 people, and pioneered many improvements in tooling and automobile design including closed all-weather bodies. The company owned {{convert|160000|acre|km2}} of timberland and used more wood, carpet, tacks, and thread than any other manufacturer in the world. It had more than 40 plants and employed more than 100,000 people, and pioneered many improvements in tooling and automobile design including closed all-weather bodies.


Fisher Body's contribution to the war effort in both World War I and World War II included the production of both airplanes and ]s. Alfred J. Fisher was Aircraft Director for Fisher Body. Fisher Body developed the unsuccessful ] heavy fighter. Fisher Body's contribution to the war effort in WWI and WWII included the production of airplanes and ]s. Alfred J. Fisher was Aircraft Director for Fisher Body. Fisher Body developed the unsuccessful ] heavy fighter.


== Fisher Family == == Fisher family ==
On August 14, 1944, the Fisher brothers resigned from General Motors to devote their time to other interests, including the ] on West ] in ]. The brothers also mounted a bid to take-over ], but their ] fell short of its market value and the effort was rejected by stockholders. On August 14, 1944, the Fisher brothers resigned from General Motors to devote their time to other interests, including the ] on West ] in ]. The brothers also mounted a bid to take over ], but their ] fell short of its market value and the effort was rejected by stockholders.


On January 19, 1972, the last of the Fisher brothers died. The seven brothers donated millions of dollars to schools, churches, and other charitable causes and were active in directing those endeavors. On January 19, 1972, the last of the Fisher brothers died. The seven brothers donated millions of dollars to schools, churches, and other charitable causes and were active in directing those endeavors.


The Fisher family has continued on in the automotive industry with Fisher Corporation (metal stamping), General Safety (seat belts), Fisher Dynamics (seat mechanisms & structures), in the U.S., Mexico, China and India. The Fisher family has continued on in the automotive industry with Fisher Corporation (metal stamping), General Safety (seat belts), and Fisher Dynamics (seat mechanisms & structures), in the U.S., Mexico, China, and India.


On July 22, 2008, Fisher Coachworks, LLC was launched with Gregory W. Fisher, grandson of Alfred J. Fisher, as CEO. The new company is developing a prototype of the GTB-40, a hybrid-electric 40' transit bus that uses ], a stainless steel alloy developed by Autokinetics of ], that allows the bus to be half the nominal weight of a standard transit bus and achieve twice the fuel economy.<ref></ref> On July 22, 2008, Fisher Coachworks, LLC was launched with Gregory W. Fisher, grandson of Alfred J. Fisher, as CEO. The new company was developing a prototype of the GTB-40, a hybrid-electric 40' transit bus developed by Autokinetics of ], that uses ], a stainless steel alloy developed by AK Steel that allows the bus to be half the nominal weight of a standard transit bus and achieve twice the fuel economy.<ref></ref>


As of 2010, Fisher Coachworks, LLC went out of business after two years of spending money but not producing a single bus. On March 3, 2011, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation received a check for $29,000 for all of Fisher CoachWorks’ remaining assets. As of 2010, Fisher Coachworks, LLC went out of business after two years, producing only a single prototype bus. On March 3, 2011, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation received a check for $29,000 for all of Fisher CoachWorks’ remaining assets.


Alfred J. Fisher Jr., an automotive safety pioneer and son of Fisher Body's Alfred J. Fisher Sr., died June 19, 2012. Alfred J. Fisher Jr., an automotive safety pioneer and son of Fisher Body's Alfred J. Fisher Sr., died June 19, 2012.

=== Mansions in Detroit ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Mansions in Detroit owned (at one time) by the Fisher family, by address
|-
!scope="col"| Address
!scope="col"| Neighborhood
!scope="col"| Architect
!scope="col"| Year
!scope="col"| Area
!scope="col"| Brother
!scope="col"| Status
|-
!scope="row"| 54 Arden Park Boulevard
|]
|]
|1918
|10,800 sq. ft.
|Frederick J.
|Private residence
|-
|-
!scope="row"| 670 West Boston Boulevard
|]
|George D. Mason
|1915
|18,000 sq. ft.
|Charles T.
|Private residence
|-
|-
!scope="row"| 1791 Wellesley Drive
|]
|Richard H. Marr
|1925
|20,000 sq. ft.
|William A.
|Fire in 1994; demolished
|-
|-
!scope="row"| 383 Lenox Avenue
|]
|]
|1928
|22,000 sq. ft.
|Lawrence P.
|Bhaktivedanta Cultural Center
|-
!scope="row"| 892 West Boston Boulevard
|Boston-Edison
|Richard H. Marr
|1923
|10,000 sq. ft.
|Edward F.
|Private residence
|-
!scope="row"| 1771 Balmoral Drive
|Palmer Woods
|Richard H. Marr
|1926
|20,000 sq. ft.
|Alfred J.
|Private residence
|}


== Milestones == == Milestones ==
* 1930 - Slanted windshields for reduced glare * 1930 Slanted windshields for reduced glare
* 1933 - "No-Draft" ventilation * 1933 "No-Draft" ventilation, also known as ]
* 1934 - One-piece steel "turret top" roofs<ref></ref> * 1934 One-piece steel "turret top" roofs<ref></ref>
* 1935 - Former ] plant in ], opens * 1935 Former ] plant in ], opens
* 1936 - Dual windshield wipers * 1936 Dual windshield wipers
* 1959 - Developed and produced GM's first unibody car - The 1960 ] * 1959 Developed and produced GM's first ] car The 1960 ]
* 1969 - Fisher's "Side Guard Beam" is introduced. Ternstedt Division merged into Fisher Body. * 1969 Fisher's ] is introduced. Ternstedt Division merged into Fisher Body.
* 1974 - Invented the ignition interlock system * 1974 Invented the ] system
* 1974 - Produced GM's first ] * 1974 Produced GM's first ]
* 1975 - Fisher develops GM's first all-metric vehicle, the ] * 1975 Fisher develops GM's first all-metric vehicle, the ]
* 1979 - Fisher Northern Ireland established, opens plant in ], ] * 1979 Fisher Northern Ireland established, opens plant in ], ]
* 1984 - Fisher Body Division dissolves, with its operations transferred to other GM divisions. These include newly created Fisher Guide Division, Chevrolet-Pontiac-Canada Group, and Buick-Olsmobile-Cadillac Group. * 1984 Fisher Body Division dissolves, with its operations transferred to other GM divisions. These include newly created Fisher Guide Division, Chevrolet-Pontiac-Canada Group, and Buick-Oldsmobile-Cadillac Group.
* 1988 - Fisher Guide closes ], facility * 1988 Fisher Guide closes Hamilton/Fairfield, Ohio, facility
* 1989 - Fisher Guide merges with Inland Division to become Inland Fisher Guide * 1989 Fisher Guide merges with Inland Division to become Inland Fisher Guide
* 1990 - Inland Fisher Guide closes ], facility * 1990 Inland Fisher Guide closes ], facility
* 1995 - Inland Fisher Guide absorbed into Delphi Automotive Systems * 1995 Inland Fisher Guide absorbed into ]
* 2008 - Fisher Coachworks, LLC officially launches and begins development of the GTB-40 transit bus * 2008 Fisher Coachworks, LLC, officially launches and begins development of the GTB-40 transit bus
* 2010 – Fisher Coachworks, LLC, folds and is liquidated the following year.

==Advertising==
The General Motors "Body by Fisher" advertising campaigns were legendary and brought many artists to the attention of the American public. ] used artwork showing fashionable women to promote the image of comfort and style. ] photographed a large campaign for them through ] in the 1950s using leading name models, ] from top fashion designers often with huge ] production budgets.

==Products==


===Aircraft=== ==Other products==
;Aircraft
*]
* ]


== Further Reading == == References ==
{{Portal|Detroit|Companies}} {{Portal|Michigan|Companies}}
{{Reflist}}
*
* at Abandoned
* at Car of the Century


== References == == External links ==
* at Abandoned
{{reflist}}
* at Car of the Century
*
*{{HAER |survey=OH-11-H |id=oh0115 |title=Fisher Body Ohio Company, East 140th Street & Coit Road, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, OH |photos=9 |data=14 |cap=2}}


{{General Motors aircraft}} {{General Motors aircraft}}
Line 105: Line 196:


] ]
] ]
] ]
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 05:08, 11 December 2024

Automobile coachbuilder and division of General Motors

42°22′08″N 83°03′47″W / 42.369°N 83.063°W / 42.369; -83.063

Fisher Body
Company typeDivision of General Motors
IndustryAutomotive
FoundedJuly 22, 1908; 116 years ago (1908-07-22) in Detroit, Michigan, United States
FoundersFred Fisher, Charles Fisher
Defunct1984 (1984)
FateDissolved by GM
HeadquartersDetroit, Michigan, U.S.

Fisher Body was an automobile coachbuilder founded by the Fisher brothers in 1908 in Detroit, Michigan.

In 1984, General Motors dissolved its Fisher Body Division — as part of its extensive North American restructuring. Eight parts-making facilities from within the Fisher division were combined with the Guide division, which manufactured headlights and plastic parts, to form the Fisher Guide Division. Other plants formerly operated by Fisher were reorganized to become the Chevrolet, Pontiac, GM of Canada (CPC) and the Buick, Oldsmobile, Cadillac (BOC) groups.

The name and its iconic "Body by Fisher" logo were widely known, as General Motors vehicles (except the fiberglass Chevrolet Corvette which got a "Body by Chevrolet" tag) each displayed a "Body by Fisher" emblem on their door sill plates until Fisher Body's demise.

Fisher brothers

Tudor revival style mansion of Charles T. Fisher, president of Fisher Body corporation in Detroit's Boston-Edison Historic District, designed by architect George Mason

Fisher Body's beginnings trace back to a horse-drawn carriage shop in Norwalk, Ohio, in the late 1800s. Lawrence P. Fisher (1852 Peru, Ohio – 1921, Norwalk, Ohio) and his wife Margaret Theisen (1857 Baden, Germany – 1936 Detroit, Michigan) had a large family of eleven children; seven were sons who would become part of the Fisher Body Company in Detroit. Lawrence and Margaret were married in Sandusky, Ohio, in 1876. Margaret Theisen Fisher lived in Detroit after her husband died.

The Fisher brothers were:

  1. Frederick John Fisher (1878–1941)
  2. Charles Thomas Fisher (1880–1963)
  3. William Andrew Fisher (1886–1969)
  4. Lawrence P. Fisher (1888–1961)
  5. Edward F. Fisher (1891–1972)
  6. Alfred J. Fisher (1892–1963)
  7. Howard A. Fisher (1902–1942)

History

In 1904 and 1905, the two eldest brothers, Fred and Charles, came to Detroit where their uncle Albert Fisher had established Standard Wagon Works during the latter part of the 1880s. The brothers found work at the C. R. Wilson Company, a manufacturer of horse-drawn carriage bodies that was beginning to make bodies for automobile manufacturers. With financing from their uncle, on July 22, 1908, Fred and Charles Fisher established the Fisher Body Company. Their uncle soon wanted out, and the brothers obtained the needed funds from businessman Louis Mendelssohn who became a shareholder and director. Soon Charles and Fred Fisher brought their five younger brothers into the business.

Prior to forming the company, Fred Fisher had built the first closed-body coupe, the 1905 Cadillac Osceola at the C. R. Wilson Company. The Osceola was requested by Cadillac founder Henry M. Leland to determine the feasibility of a car body that was closed to the elements. It was built on the chassis of the 1905 Cadillac Model E. Starting in 1910, Fisher became the supplier of all closed bodies for Cadillac, Buick, Oakland and Oldsmobile.

In the early years of the company, the Fisher Brothers had to develop new body designs because the "horseless carriage" bodies lacked the strength to withstand the vibration of the new motorcars. By 1913, the Fisher Body Company had the capacity to produce 100,000 cars per year and customers included: Ford, Krit, Chalmers, General Motors, and Studebaker. Highly successful, they expanded into Canada, establishing a plant in Walkerville, Ontario. By 1914 their operations had grown to become the world's largest manufacturer of auto bodies. One reason for their success was the development of interchangeable wooden body parts that did not require hand-fitting, as was the case in the construction of carriages. This required the design of new precision woodworking tools.

The Fisher Body and Buick chassis were built in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, in the 1920s.

Fisher Body Corporation and General Motors

Fisher Body Plant 21, Piquette and St. Antoine

In 1916, the company became the Fisher Body Corporation. Its capacity was 370,000 bodies per year and its customers included Abbot, Buick, Cadillac, Chalmers, Chandler, Chevrolet, Church-Field, Elmore, EMF, Ford, Herreshoff, Hudson, Krit, Oldsmobile, Oakland, Packard, Pontiac, Regal, and Studebaker.

The company constructed the now-abandoned Smith, Hinchman & Grylls-designed Fisher Body Plant 21 (commonly misattributed to Albert Kahn, who designed the historic landmark Fisher Building), on Piquette Street, in Detroit, in 1919. The building is now part of the Piquette Avenue Industrial Historic District and is being revived by Detroit developers Greg Jackson and Richard Hosey and architecture firm McIntosh Poris Architects as Fisher 21 Lofts, a mixed-use project combining 433 apartments and commercial spaces. At the time, Fisher had more than 40 buildings encompassing 3,700,000 square feet (344,000 m) of floor space.

  • Fisher 21 Lofts Rendering, McIntosh Poris Architects.
    Fisher Body – West Fort & Livernois
  • Fisher Body Plant 2 (wood kiln) – St. Antoine
  • Fisher Body Plant 4 – Oakland Ave.
  • Fisher Body Plant 12 – 1961 E. Milwaukee
  • Fisher Body Plant 18 (aka Cadillac Fleetwood Plant) – West End Ave
  • Fisher Plant 21 – 700 Piquette
  • Fisher Plant 23 – 601 Piquette
  • Fisher Plant 37 – 950 E. Milwaukee at Hastings

In a 1919 deal put together by president William C. Durant, General Motors bought 60% of the company. The Fisher company purchased Fleetwood Metal Body in 1925, and in 1926 was integrated entirely as an in-house coachbuilding division of General Motors. Fisher Body Division was dissolved in 1984, with some of its plants taken over by the newly created Fisher Guide Division (later Inland Fisher Guide), and the remaining facilities absorbed by other GM operations.

Founded in 1947 by members of the Fisher family, Fisher & Company continues to use the name, with such divisions as Fisher Dynamics.

Extent of operations

From its beginning in the "horseless carriage shop" in Norwalk, Ohio, to its sale in 1919 and 1926 to General Motors, the Fisher Body Company was built by the Fisher brothers into one of the world's largest manufacturing companies.

The company owned 160,000 acres (650 km) of timberland and used more wood, carpet, tacks, and thread than any other manufacturer in the world. It had more than 40 plants and employed more than 100,000 people, and pioneered many improvements in tooling and automobile design including closed all-weather bodies.

Fisher Body's contribution to the war effort in WWI and WWII included the production of airplanes and tanks. Alfred J. Fisher was Aircraft Director for Fisher Body. Fisher Body developed the unsuccessful Fisher P-75 Eagle heavy fighter.

Fisher family

On August 14, 1944, the Fisher brothers resigned from General Motors to devote their time to other interests, including the Fisher Building on West Grand Boulevard in Detroit. The brothers also mounted a bid to take over Hudson Motors, but their tender offer fell short of its market value and the effort was rejected by stockholders.

On January 19, 1972, the last of the Fisher brothers died. The seven brothers donated millions of dollars to schools, churches, and other charitable causes and were active in directing those endeavors.

The Fisher family has continued on in the automotive industry with Fisher Corporation (metal stamping), General Safety (seat belts), and Fisher Dynamics (seat mechanisms & structures), in the U.S., Mexico, China, and India.

On July 22, 2008, Fisher Coachworks, LLC was launched with Gregory W. Fisher, grandson of Alfred J. Fisher, as CEO. The new company was developing a prototype of the GTB-40, a hybrid-electric 40' transit bus developed by Autokinetics of Rochester Hills, Michigan, that uses Nitronic, a stainless steel alloy developed by AK Steel that allows the bus to be half the nominal weight of a standard transit bus and achieve twice the fuel economy.

As of 2010, Fisher Coachworks, LLC went out of business after two years, producing only a single prototype bus. On March 3, 2011, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation received a check for $29,000 for all of Fisher CoachWorks’ remaining assets.

Alfred J. Fisher Jr., an automotive safety pioneer and son of Fisher Body's Alfred J. Fisher Sr., died June 19, 2012.

Mansions in Detroit

Mansions in Detroit owned (at one time) by the Fisher family, by address
Address Neighborhood Architect Year Area Brother Status
54 Arden Park Boulevard Arden Park-East Boston George D. Mason 1918 10,800 sq. ft. Frederick J. Private residence
670 West Boston Boulevard Boston-Edison George D. Mason 1915 18,000 sq. ft. Charles T. Private residence
1791 Wellesley Drive Palmer Woods Richard H. Marr 1925 20,000 sq. ft. William A. Fire in 1994; demolished
383 Lenox Avenue Jefferson–Chalmers C. Howard Crane 1928 22,000 sq. ft. Lawrence P. Bhaktivedanta Cultural Center
892 West Boston Boulevard Boston-Edison Richard H. Marr 1923 10,000 sq. ft. Edward F. Private residence
1771 Balmoral Drive Palmer Woods Richard H. Marr 1926 20,000 sq. ft. Alfred J. Private residence

Milestones

  • 1930 – Slanted windshields for reduced glare
  • 1933 – "No-Draft" ventilation, also known as Ventiplanes
  • 1934 – One-piece steel "turret top" roofs
  • 1935 – Former Durant Motors plant in Lansing, Michigan, opens
  • 1936 – Dual windshield wipers
  • 1959 – Developed and produced GM's first unibody car – The 1960 Chevrolet Corvair
  • 1969 – Fisher's "Side Guard Beam" is introduced. Ternstedt Division merged into Fisher Body.
  • 1974 – Invented the ignition interlock system
  • 1974 – Produced GM's first airbag
  • 1975 – Fisher develops GM's first all-metric vehicle, the Chevrolet Chevette
  • 1979 – Fisher Northern Ireland established, opens plant in Dundonald, Northern Ireland
  • 1984 – Fisher Body Division dissolves, with its operations transferred to other GM divisions. These include newly created Fisher Guide Division, Chevrolet-Pontiac-Canada Group, and Buick-Oldsmobile-Cadillac Group.
  • 1988 – Fisher Guide closes Hamilton/Fairfield, Ohio, facility
  • 1989 – Fisher Guide merges with Inland Division to become Inland Fisher Guide
  • 1990 – Inland Fisher Guide closes Elyria, Ohio, facility
  • 1995 – Inland Fisher Guide absorbed into Delphi Automotive Systems
  • 2008 – Fisher Coachworks, LLC, officially launches and begins development of the GTB-40 transit bus
  • 2010 – Fisher Coachworks, LLC, folds and is liquidated the following year.

Other products

Aircraft

References

  1. Holusha, John (July 4, 1984). "Fisher Unit Breakup Completed". The New York Times.
  2. Boston-Edison Historic District Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine from the City of Detroit Planning and Development Department.
  3. "1905 Cadillac Osceola". Auto Concept Reviews.com. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  4. Peek, Jeff (2022-09-07). "How Detroit's transportation landmarks are—or aren't—being saved from ruin". Hagerty Media. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  5. "An auto plant in Detroit to get a retread as mixed-use housing". Building Design + Construction. 2022-05-18. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  6. "Fisher Dynamics". Fisher Dynamics.
  7. Fisher Coachworks Launch Rekindles 100-Year History
  8. "Giant Presses Makes All-Steel Top For Autos" Popular Mechanics, July 1935

External links

General Motors aircraft
Eastern Aircraft
USN fighters
USN bombers
Fisher Body
USAAF fighters
General Motors
Divisions and
subsidiaries
Vehicle brands
Service brands
Global subsidiaries
Shareholdings
Products and
technologies
Engines
Electric
Former divisions,
joint ventures
and subsidiaries
Facilities
People
Sponsorship
Related topics
Categories: