Michigan once paid people to kill rats and bring the heads to local clerks for a cash bounty. The bizarre law stayed on the books until 2000.
Before GPS: Michigan’s Giant Concrete Arrows Guided Airplanes
Long before GPS, giant concrete arrows guided airmail pilots across Michigan. Discover the forgotten navigation system that helped shape early aviation.
How a Milk Spill in Michigan Changed Driving Forever
Michigan helped introduce painted center lines on roads after a simple milk wagon spill inspired one of the most important traffic safety ideas in history.
May 1, 1926: How Henry Ford Helped Create the 40-Hour Workweek
On May 1, 1926, Henry Ford introduced the five-day, 40-hour workweek—an idea that reshaped American labor and started in Michigan.
April 29, 1813: The Simple Invention That Helped Build Michigan’s Auto Empire
An early rubber patent on April 29, 1813 helped lay the foundation for Michigan’s automotive industry, where rubber became essential to building cars.
When Michigan Lowered the Drinking Age… and Immediately Regretted It
In the 1970s, Michigan lowered its drinking age to 18—only to see an influx of teens from neighboring states and a spike in accidents. Here’s how it backfired.