The “Entrepreneurship in the Western Reserve” exhibit at the Cleveland History Center recalls Cleveland's innovation prowess near the turn of the 20th century.
Here are a few highlights from the exhibit:
- With 85 known millionaires in 1892, Cleveland was considered one of the richest cities in the world.
- In 1900, Cleveland led the nation in patents per capita and ranked as the 5th most technologically important city based on the impact of its patents.
- In 1910, more than half of Cleveland's residents were either immigrants or the children of immigrants.
- From 1910 to 1912 and again from 1928 to 1930, more than 90 percent of patents acquired by Cuyahoga County companies had been awarded to local inventors.
- In 1920, Cuyahoga County had the fourth largest manufacturing economy in America.
About the airplane featured above:
The Wedell-Williams Ring-Free Comet featured at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum was a racing aircraft that flew in the Thompson Trophy air race in Cleveland, Ohio in 1937. It dropped out of the event due to engine failure. (Source: Wikipedia) (Photo: Mark Madere | SpectraLight Photography)
