Historical Inventions of Delbert Roberts (1869-1953)

1. Automobile: At the age of 14 years old, Delbert Roberts opened the world's first automobile plant just north of the Blue Water Bridge in 1883, on the West side of Pinegrove Avenue, Port Huron, MI. The model of the vehicle produced was called the "Desoto." Sometime around 1901 and 1903, several barn type structures were built along 24th Street with Delbert’s money being loaned to the Fords which maybe still occupied by Prestolite Wire Company. After 1907, the Fords moved to Detroit to expand their operations. After this, the barns may have begun producing Desoto automobiles. The newer plant that last housed Prestolite Wire Company was constructed after the barns were torn down sometime in 1928. This new plant produced all Desoto vehicles until closing in 1961. The invention of the all steel automobile took place around 1928. Delbert also invented the convertible in 1928 and the two passenger rumble seat vehicle, the 1928 Plymouth that was assembled in Windsor. He also invented all of the improvements on the automobile and all manufacturing techniques at this plant, including all of the aerodynamics of the Chrysler Air Flow Vehicles. Chrysler took over Desoto Plymouth when Delbert died in 1953. The Fords began automobile production on their family farm located on the south end of the Roberts’ property located north of the intersection of Mill Creek and Black River on the west side around 1900. Delbert Roberts is believed to have loaned them $100,000 initial startup money in 1901-1903 to get started in the auto industry and showed them trade secrets, as their neighbor and relative as Delbert’s half sister married a Clay Hull. Mercedes claimed to be the original inventor of the automobile however, the reality is that their vehicle was not introduced until after the 1904 Oldsmobile. Motorized Two Passenger Carriage Three Bicycle Wheel Type Vehicle (Claimed Invention Date 1886 in 1924 Book). A check of patent office records reveals no chain driven vehicles before 1898.
   
   
2. Assembly Line/Mass Production (1901-1904): Invented in conjunction with the operation of his Desoto auto factories. An individual named Olds quit working at Delbert’s Port Huron Plant and took the invention and started his own auto manufacturing business in Lansing, MI.
   
   
3. Plymouth Brand Automobiles (1928-1953): These automobiles were produced at the New Port Huron Desoto Plant on 24th St. along with the new all steel frame Desoto. According to the internet, the rumble seat convertible coop was produced in Windsor, Ontario. We have information from the former employees of Desoto Plymouth that all of Delbert’s businesses were operated from a four unit apartment house just south of Delbert’s house near 10th and Military so the distance could have been further than he would have wanted. We are questionable regarding Delbert having offices in the Penobscot Building in Detroit.
   
   
4. Airplane: Orville and Wilbur Wright lived in a house on 7th Street south of Oak Street on the west side of the street in Port Huron, MI, they lived approximately three blocks from Isaiah and Delbert’s house at 6th and White St. and were hired as test pilots or applicants who elected not to take the job but left for Kittyhawk, NC, instead. Delbert invented and they developed the world’s first bicycle, the “Vellapioped”, rubber, and hard rubber tires in 1882 and opened a bicycle shop called “Fix Masters” on Griswold St., in Port Huron, MI. There was a dispute with the Wright brothers at the patent office regarding the fact that Delbert was the original filer for the patent of the airplane. The original airplane engine and propeller were invented by Delbert Roberts. After Delbert’s death in 1953, Adrian Hull ended up with the propeller in his garage. In 1900-1901, the engine and propeller were setup in Grandma Oglebe’s barn 1819, previously George Roberts’ house. The inter sanctuary lodge style house that possibly dates as early as 1807 was torn down when Adrian constructed his house there around 1909. All three structures were located half a mile west of the intersection of Graham Road and Roberts Road possibly established as early as 1807. The airplane was the world's first biplane called the "Barn Stormer." It was conceived, constructed, and possibly took flight from there as the world's first airplane flight or the world’s first flight occurred in Kimble Township. This airplane of Delbert’s was flying at least two years before the Wright Brother’s plane. Some individuals say that the Wright Brothers wanted to receive the Government’s R&D money. The place of final construction of the plane was in Kimble Township off U.S. 25. Delbert’s bi-plane was on the ground for two years or more at this air field now called St. Clair County Airport previous to the Wright Brother’s flight in Kittyhawk, NC. Apparently, the invention of the World’s First Airplane was also the invention of the World’s First Airport. One thing remains constant when we discover errors is that, even with correction, my grandfathers remain the inventor. It also possible that the engine and propeller were setup and tested at the Graham Road location then transferred to St. Clair Country Airport for full aircraft construction.
   
   
5. Telephone (1872): As a 3 year old, Delbert invented this at the world’s first railway station for Isaiah’s Grand Trunk Railroad, by adding a second wire to the existing world’s first telegraph wire (1831) between this building and the Old Seaway Terminal, a distance of approximately four blocks. Bell and Gray took off with the invention in a race to the Patent Office. Isaiah invented the first telegraph at this same location. Delbert’s father’s houses were located one and three blocks from the railway station. The Bells of the Alexander Graham Family may have lived in home on 13th St. in Port Huron, MI, around the time of the invention? It is also likely that Gray lived in close proximity to the station. This building was used for experiments by Delbert and previously by his father Isaiah. The world’s first electrical generator was invented and constructed by Delbert nearly across the street from this location around 1879. Also, the electric motor was invented in conjunction with the world’s first water well at Isaiah’s mansion that was three blocks away. Also, the world’s first buckboard wagon in 1829 and horse drawn bus in 1833 and the world’s first axle weigh scales in 1829 were invented nearly across the street, not to mention, the invention of chlorine bleach there in 1869.
   
   
6. Television (1947): was possibly invented at his home two doors south of 10th and Military St., Port Huron, MI, or his 300 ft. wide estate 1 block south of this location. After his death, these early sets were brought to the basement of the Adrian Hull residence on Military Street in Port Huron, MI. We also have report that he was the owner of all three major television networks? The first television station WWJ in Detroit began broadcasting in 1947. Broadcasting likely first began at the Penobscot Building in Detroit.
   
   
7. Radio (1920-1928): Invented at his homes along the St. Clair River, most likely one or two doors south of 10th and Military St. in the basement or at his other home about a block south. This was WWJ Detroit and/or experimental W8XWJ also and was housed in the Penobscot Building, constructed in 1928, which was believed to be the headquarters of Delbert’s car company, Plymouth Desoto, before the merger with Chrysler in 1945.
   
   
8. Refrigerator (1930): Invented with his friend and former classmate Albert Einstein, likely taken over by General Electric during the foundering of this company by Thomas Edison.
   
   
9. Internal Combustion Engine Automotive: Invented in conjunction with the startup of the World’s First Auto Plant, the Desoto, claimed to be invented by Louie Pasteur. Internal Combustion Engine Electrical Generator possibly invented as early as 1879 and possibly as late as 1882. This was invented at the end of Griswold St. in one of two barns and housed the world’s first electrical generator less than a block from Delbert’s house. This generator was followed quickly in 1882 with the first city wide electrical generator located on Delbert’s property just north of the New Seaway Terminal. Also included in this power plant was the invention of city water and electrical water pumps and the transformer. It is possibly that Delbert may have been the owner of the property where the Detroit Edison Marysville Power Plant is located. It was the world’s first major coal fire power plant, probably constructed in 1917-1919.
   
   
10. Cream Separator: It was invented at the former site of Anchor Holth Power Cylinder Plant, Conner St., Port Huron, MI. This invention of Pasteurization was claimed by Louie Pasteur, possibly around 1883 as was this time period of his claim of inventing the internal combustion engine.
    
    
11. Natural Gas Well Drilling Advancements including Near Shore Rigs Conception: Invented by Delbert in conjunction with his operation of the Mobil Oil Company?
    
    
12. Asphalt Road: Possibly Military St., Port Huron, MI, extending from Mason Ave. to the downtown area past Delbert’s houses. Delbert invented asphalt roads in conjunction with his oil refinery, Mobil Oil Company.
    
    
13. Sports: Golf 1900 (Black River Country Club, Port Huron, MI), Football (Port Huron, MI, High School in 1898) the first game was actually invented in vacant lot adjacent to Delbert's house, also tennis was invented at the house as a lawn game, and Baseball, vacant lot adjacent to Delbert’s house on Military St. as spring game for the same High School in 1899, the first team was organized at Port Huron High School or invented as a professional game, the organized game of Basketball was invented at Washington Intermediate School when it was Port Huron, MI, High School in 1923. Bowling, “Bowl-A-Drome”, on Military St. between Chestnut St. and White St., eastside, in Port Huron, MI.
    
    
14. Electrical Power Grid and Main Generating Source (1879-1882): This was conceived by Delbert at the Clorox Building in 1879 in conjunction with electrical power generation with Thomas Edison who later opened the Edison Electric Company on Delbert’s property just south of the Old Seaway Terminal and then later opening the Detroit Edison Company. Edison developed many of Delbert’s ideas primarily at his laboratory on Grand River Ave. at the Detroit Edison Company Office in Port Huron, MI. It appears that in order to distance himself from Delbert and his inventions, Edison followers have changed his laboratory location to Menlo Park, NJ. In 1882, the first electrical motor was also conceived at Isaiah’s house on 6th and White St. in the form of an electrical water pump in conjunction with the drilled water well.
    
    
15. Power Plant: The World's First Coal Fire Major Power Plant, the Detroit Edison Marysville Power Plant that is still in operation, was invented in conversation with Fords before the startup of their auto company in Marysville, MI. This plant was located about 2 miles from Delbert’s house.
    
    
16. Electrical Power Generation (1879-1882): The world’s first generator was invented at the end of Griswold St. at Isaiah's laboratory and operated at the end of Griswold Street in Port Huron, MI. This may have only been one or three blocks away from Delbert’s father’s homes, one of the houses were located at 6th and White St. may have been occupied by Edison.
    
    
17. Second Power Generating Plant (1906): Invented at the north end of the new Seaway Terminal in Port Huron, MI, about 4 blocks from Delbert’s house. This plant may have become called in later years the Edison Electric Company but may have been titled in Delbert’s name? This plant was the invention of the electrical transformer and the electric water pump and the invention of city water systems.
    
    
18. Train Tunnel World's First: The tunnel was located just west of 10th St. and North of Beard St. in Port Huron, Mi, in 1899.
    
    
19. Hot Water Steam Boiler (1926): The hot water steam boiler was invented in conjunction with the construction of Adrian Hull’s house which was built on the property after tearing down the world’s first building, the primitive home of George Roberts, which was built in 1807-1810.
    
    
20. Interlocking Roofing (1926): Interlocking roofing was invented in conjunction with the construction of Adrian Hull’s house which was built on the property after tearing down the world’s first building, the primitive home of George Roberts, which was built in 1807-1810
    
    
21. Cement Blocks Hollow Core (1924): They were invented in conjunction with Delbert’s “Walk Out” basement at his house at 10th and Military St.
    
    
22. “Walk Out” Basement (1924): Invented in conjunction with the construction of Delbert’s house at 10th and Military St. in Port Huron, MI.
    
    
23. Apartment House (1926): The apartment house was invented in conjunction with the construction of Adrian Hull’s house which was built on the property after tearing down the world’s first building, the primitive home of George Roberts, which was built in 1807-1810.
    
    
24. Toilet, Bathtub, and Indoor Plumbing (1890): Invented with his roommate, John Crapper, at Delbert’s former home that was located on the St. Clair River in Port Huron, MI, 1 block south of 10th and Military St., around 1890-1900. Port Huron Plumbing Company located at 4th and Griswold St. was likely involved in this process.
    
    
25. Construction Equipment: Invented possibly with the Case family members.
    
    
26. City Water and Sewer Systems: The first community sewer and water main lines ran along Military Street from Mason Ave. north to Downtown Port Huron probably in the late 1880s or 1890s. A place of water intake was located at the north end of the New Seaway Terminal. This was also the place of the Edison Electric Company. The place of the sewer discharge was the St. Claire River south of 10th Street at Delbert’s house in front of Delbert’s apartment house. This was the invention of concrete section sewer and drainage pipe that is still visible today.
    
    
27. Typewriter: Delbert Roberts possibly owned the Royal U.S. Typewriter Company.
    
    
28. The Theory of Relativity (1884-1888 at the Old Port Huron High school that later became the Port Huron Armory), Chemistry Tables and Mathematical Equations, were invented with Albert Einstein who was Delbert's class mate at Port Huron High School
    
    
29. Farming Method and Plant Improvements:
    
    
30. The Brooklyn and Golden Gate Bridges
    
    
31. Skyscrapers: The skyscraper was invented at the Penobscot Building in Detroit, MI, in the later 20s or early 30s. This was probably the headquarters for the Desoto-Plymouth Auto Company and possibly later around 1945 Chrysler.
    
    
32. Steel I-Beam Bridge Under Supported: The Steel Built I-beam Bridge was possibly invented at the intersection of Norman Rd. and Black River.
    
    
33. The invention of the Battle Tank and the first Manufacturing Plant Production occurred in Marysville, MI, along River Road, along the St. Clair River, north of Cuddle Road. This may have been the first connection between Desoto Plymouth and Chrysler Corporation merging in 1945. This plant built plants during World War II in 1940-1945.
    
    
34. Phonograph (1877): This was probably invented with Thomas Edison in Isaiah’s laboratory at the end of Griswold Street, possibly associated with early movie house productions at the Huron Theatre?
    
    
35. The Movie Camera was invented around 1910 in conjunction with the World’s First Movie Theatre, “The Huron”, in Port Huron, MI, near the intersection of Military St. and Pine St.?
    
    
36. Swimming Pool: It was invented in the 1890’s in conjunction with Delbert’s house on Military St.
    
    
37. Stucco: Invented in conjunction with his house on Military in the 1890s.
    
    
38. Concrete Slab Houses: Invented in conjunction with his house on Military in the 1890s.
    
    
39. Brick Veneer Exterior Housing Surface along with Decorative Brick Walkway Columns: These were invented in conjunction with the construction of Adrian Hull’s house which was built on the property after tearing down the world’s first building, the primitive home of George Roberts, which was built in 1807-1810.
    
    
40. Field Stone Home Construction (Around 1924): The first two were located on either side of Adrian Hull’s house, 10th and Military Street.
    
    
41. Plastic Bako-lite Electrical Boxes: This would have been invented by Delbert in conjunction with his ownership of the Mobil Oil Company.
    
    
42. Tools Precision Machinist and Automotive: Invented in conjunction with his auto plant operations.
    
    
43. Household Electrical: Invented at Delbert’s former home that was located on the St. Clair River in Port Huron, MI, 1 block south of 10th and Military St.
    
    
44. French Doors: Invented at Delbert’s former home that was located on the St. Clair River in Port Huron, MI, 1 block south of 10th and Military St.
    
    
45. Power Generating Plant (1879): Invented at the end of Griswold Street in Port Huron, MI.
    
    
46. Second Power Generating Plant (1906): This was called the Edison Electric Company. Invented at the north end of the new Seaway Terminal in Port Huron, MI, about 4 blocks from Delbert’s house.
    
    
47. Food Improvements Improved Species and Reduced Hard Labor and Time Production – Modern Farm Tractor Improvements (1869-1953): The Development of the Cross Bred, Grafted, Propagated, and Genetically Selected, Species of Fruits, Vegetables, and Grains, Insecticides, Herbicides, Fertilizing, and Edibility, of the Improved Species. Improvements on the Apple, Pair, and Cherry, trees were located on Adrian's Farm on Hewett Road, in Avoca, MI, about a block from the Roberts/Hillman farm. This farm was also the place where tomato ketchup was invented with the Hunt family around 1890.
    
    
48. Department Store: Sperry’s Port Huron in 1923 which was located at the corner of Huron and Grand River or Hudson’s Downtown Detroit. Also, the Five and Dime Store Woolworth’s first opened at the corner of Huron and Grand River in Port Huron, MI
    
    
49. Gasoline Pump Service Station (1922-1930): This invention was located at the northeast corner of Griswold and Military St. in Port Huron, MI.
    
    
50. Gas Lighting Street Lighting: Invented on Water St. in Port Huron in 1830-1833 at the Southeastern Michigan Gas Company on Water St. east of Military St. ?
    
    
51. Bicycle (1901): The bicycle was possibly invented at the bicycle shop at 7th and Griswold St. in Port Huron, MI, two blocks from Delbert’s house. This was likely invented with the Wright Brothers as they lived three blocks away from Delbert’s house and are believed to have owned a Bicycle Shop name “Fix Masters”.
    
    
52. Oil Refinery Modern (1832-1853): Elbert likely invented this in conjunction of his operation of the Mobil Oil Company wisely waiting until after the death of Thomas Edison so as to not have an inventorship dispute. It would like have been associated with the Texas Oil Boom or possibly at his original Mobil Oil Company location on the north side of Black River north of the Gulf Marine Gasoline Docks near the mouth of Black River.
    
    
53. Earthquake Seismic Meter: It was invented on a trip to France by Delbert at the time he fathered Michael Thomas’ mother in 1922.
    
    
54. Tile Roofing Barrel Style: Invented in conjunction with the construction of Delbert’s house on the St. Claire River, 1 block south of 10th and Military St. in Port Huron, MI.
    
    
55. Siding Milled Lapboard: Invented in conjunction with the construction of Adrian Hull’s house.
    
    
56. Electrified House: Delbert’s house on the St. Claire River or his or his father’s house and 6th and White St. was likely the world’s first electrified house. Its date of construction would likely have been somewhere between 1879 for Isaiah’s house and 1898 for Delbert’s house.
    
    
57. Electrified Building: The world’s first electrified building was likely Issah’s laboratory at the end of Griswold St. in 1879 in conjunction with the invention of the light bulb and the world’s first power generator that was mounted on one of the concrete slabs that were located across the street from his Clorox Building.
    
    
58. Light Bulb: The invention of the original light bulb took place in 1879 probably at Isaiah’s Grand Trunk Railroad Terminal as the world’s first generator was setup nearly across the street on a concrete slab and the improved tungsten filament light bulb was conceived by Delbert in Port Huron but perfected by Edison and his employees in 1906 in New Jersey after Delbert wanted the lights to be turned on dependably and likely conceived the concept of an improved steel wire in a vacuum. The tungsten filament bulb was invented by Michael Thomas in the mid 1960s at the Detroit Edison Grand River Blvd. Payment Office in Port Huron, MI, in conjunction with the 2000 hour long life light bulb after a complaint from staff about having to give out free light bulbs. A different improvement was involved in 1906.
    
    
59. Sheet Metal Roofs (1919): These were likely invented by Delbert in conjunction with the historic preservation of the Hillman/Roberts house located at the intersection of Roberts and Graham Road in Port Huron, MI. Also of concern for historic preservation was the Old Seaway Terminal.
    
    
60. Hotel 10 Story Concrete (1898)? Delbert possibly built and owned both major hotels in Port Huron, MI, one was called the Harrington on Military St. south of Pine. The Harrington was the World's First 10 Story Concrete Structure.
    
    
61. Rubber and Rubber Automobile Tires (1883): The second usable product of rubber was the air cushioned automobile tires. Rubber was first produced for automobiles at the U.S. Royal Rubber Company that was in the buildings associated with his Desoto automobile manufacturing plant. Hard rubber tires may have been invented earlier in 1882 during the invention of the Vellapioped that was the first bicycle that was invented by Delbert Roberts as evidence by the proximitous location of the starting of the world’s first bicycle shop about three blocks from this house. The Wright Brothers either started or became involved in this shop.
    
    
62. Electric Well Pump (1882): This was likely invented and drilled at Delbert’s house at the southeast corner of 6th and White St. in 1887, formerly Isaiah’s house that was constructed in 1865.
    
    
63. Water Well and Water Well Hand Pump: This was likely invented and drilled at Delbert’s house at the southeast corner of 6th and White St. in 1865, formerly Isaiah’s house that was constructed in 1865.
    
    
64. Electric Water Pump City Water (1881-1882): Delbert invented the electric water pump in conjunction with what became the Edison’s Electric Company located at the north end of the New Seaway Terminal about four blocks north of Delbert’s house and the invention of city water, the transformer, and electric services. Edison changed the location of these inventions to Menlo Park, NJ, in order to falsely claim them.
    
    
65. Electric Motor (1881): Invented in conjunction with the electric water pump at the World’s First Permanent Electrical Power Plant that included city water pumps located north of the New Seaway Terminal on Military St. north of Beard St.
    
    
66. Life Insurance (1888): Invented by Delbert at the North American Benefit Association located at Military and Chestnut in Port Huron, MI.
    
    
67. Luxury Ocean Liner (1919): We believe that Delbert was the inventor of the “Titanic”.
    
    
68. Motorcycle (1899): Possibly Invented at 13th and Water St. in Port Huron, MI. Two old motorcycle shops were there in the late 1950s, possibly Indian and/or Harley Davison. The shops were located near the water on Black River.
    
    
69. Outboard Motor (1916): Possibly Invented at 13th and Water St. in Port Huron, MI.