Auto industry pioneer Ransom OLDS was an American inventor and businessman who founded the Oldsmobile car company in 1897. He is credited with creating the first mass-produced automobile, the Oldsmobile Curved Dash, which was produced from 1901 to 1907. OLDS also developed the first assembly line for automobiles, which allowed for the mass production of cars. He was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1971.