1996 Cadillac Eldorado 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 in1701. What better name for the oldest automobile manufacturer in Detroit. Henry M. Leland, known as the master of precision, initiated his precision manufacturing techniquesat the founding of Cadillac i 1902. His exacting standards n prompted the motto by which Cadillac has been guided over the years -"Craftsmanship ACreed -Accuracy A Law." The introductionof the first four cylinder engine 1905 in led the industry and enabled Cadillacsto travel at speeds up to 50 mph. For attention to quality and innovation, the Royal Automobile Clubof England awarded the prestigious Dewar Trophy to Cadillac twice ...first in 1908 for achieving perfect interchangeability parts and again of for introducing the electric self starter, electric lighting and ignition system on 19 12 models. Cadillac is the only American manufacturerto win this honor and the only manufacturer in the world to win it twice. As commonplace as standardized parts are today, in 1908 parts were still individually hand fitted both in production and service. V