1996 Cadillac DeVille Owner's Manual - Page 6

Few automobiles are fortunate enough to have the rich heritage that is Cadillac. The name Cadillac is appropriately that of Antoine de La Mothe Cadillac, the French military commander who founded the city of Detroit 1701. What better name for in the oldest automobile manufacturer in Detroit. Henry M. Leland, known as the masterprecision, of initiated his precision manufacturing techniques the at founding of Cadillac in 1902. His exacting standards prompted themotto by which Cadillac has been guided over the years "Craftsmanship A Creed Accuracy A Law." in The introductionof the first four cylinder engine 1905 led the industry and enabled Cadillacs to travel speeds at up to 50 mph. For attentionto quality and innovation, the Royal Automobile Club of England awarded the prestigious Dewar Trophy to Cadillac twice...first in 1908 for achieving perfect interchangeability parts and again of for introducing theelectric self starter, electric lighting and ignition systemon 1912 models. Cadillac is the only American manufacturer to win this honor and the only manufacturer in the world win it twice.As to t commonplace as standardized parts are today, in 1908 parts were still individually hand fitted both in production and service. V