America 250: Michigan Made

Michigan native and Wayne State University graduate Dr. Jason McLellan invented a method to stabilize the coronavirus protein. This discovery became the foundation for COVID-19 vaccines and prevented millions of deaths. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Joe Louis, a boxer from Detroit, fought Max Schmeling in 1938. The fight against the German champion became a symbol of American resolve against Nazi ideals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Michigan served as the “arsenal of democracy” by converting auto plants to build military equipment for World War II. Factories like Willow Run produced B-24 bombers at a high rate using new assembly line methods. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Born in Bay City and raised in Rochester Hills, Madonna challenged expectations and transformed popular music in the 1980s. Her influence reshaped music videos, celebrity culture, and the business of entertainment. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Before becoming a television star, Detroit's Danny Thomas made a vow to help children in need if he found success. That promise led to the creation of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, changing countless lives and advancing pediatric treatment. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apollo 15 expanded humanity's understanding of the Moon with the first lunar rover mission and the discovery of the Genesis Rock. Remarkably, all three astronauts shared a Michigan connection through their education at the University of Michigan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bassist Ralphe Armstrong rose from Cass Technical High School to perform with some of the most innovative names in jazz fusion. Along the way, he remained dedicated to mentoring young musicians and strengthening Detroit's musical legacy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

During the Great Depression, two Detroit entrepreneurs set out to create a better potato chip. Their commitment to quality turned Better Made into a Michigan institution and a familiar favorite at gatherings, road trips, and lunch tables. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As automobiles filled city streets, growing traffic demanded a safer way to manage intersections. Detroit inventor Garrett Morgan helped pioneer the traffic signal system that brought order to busy roads and became a fixture of modern life. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Raised in the Detroit area, Bob Seger turned stories of factory towns, highways, and everyday life into rock anthems that resonated across the country. His music helped define heartland rock and gave a voice to working-class America. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In 1868, Detroit fish dealer William Davis patented the first refrigerated railroad car, allowing fresh food to travel farther than ever before. His innovation helped build the modern food supply chain and transformed how Americans eat. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From a Detroit church choir to the world stage, Aretha Franklin transformed gospel roots into some of America's most unforgettable music. Her songs became anthems of freedom, change, and possibility, earning her the title Queen of Soul. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Growing up near the shores of Lake Michigan, Harriet Quimby refused to accept the limits placed on women in the early days of aviation. She became the first licensed female pilot in the United States and later the first woman to fly across the English Channel. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for adv...

After growing up on a Michigan farm and studying at the University of Michigan, James Earl Jones developed one of the most recognizable voices in entertainment. From Darth Vader to Mufasa, his performances became a lasting part of American culture. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Before cars filled roads across the globe, they were built here. Step inside the factories that powered a revolution—and see how Michigan’s industry and ingenuity made it the driving force behind modern America. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From a modest home on West Grand Boulevard, Berry Gordy built a sound that crossed boundaries and defined a generation. Discover how Motown didn’t just top the charts—it helped bring the country together in a time of division. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the summer of 1923, three friends gathered in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula—Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, and Harvey Firestone. What looked like a simple camping trip helped spark an idea that would change how America travels forever. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

He flew 33 combat missions over Europe, returned home to help build a global automotive company, and quietly gave millions back to Detroit. The story of Mort Harris is one of courage, resilience, and generosity—and it all began in Michigan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What do Beverly Hills Cop, Armageddon, and a Mumford High School T-shirt have in common? A Detroit connection that runs deeper than you might think. Explore the Michigan origins of a producer whose films defined a generation—and still resonate today. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.