Origins & Early Life

Alfred Pritchard Sloan Jr. ( SLOHN; May 23, 1875 – February 17, 1966) was an American business executive in the automotive industry. He was a longtime president, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of General Motors (GM). First as a senior executive and later as the head of the company, Sloan presided over the growth of General Motors into one of the largest corporations in the world.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

During this period, GM spearheaded the adoption of the annual model change, brand architecture, industrial engineering, automotive design (styling), and planned obsolescence within the automobile industry. Such developments forever changed lifestyles as well as the built environment in America and throughout the globe. Sloan wrote his memoir, My Years with General Motors, in the 1950s. Like Henry Ford, Sloan is remembered with a complex mixture of admiration for his accomplishments, appreciation for his philanthropy, and unease or reproach regarding his attitudes during the interwar period and World War II. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Sloan studied electrical engineering initially at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, then transferred to and graduated from the Massachusetts...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Albert Schweitzer — Contemporary (Born in 1875) (1875): German polymath renowned for theology, music, and 'Reverence for Life'
• Aleister Crowley — Contemporary (Born in 1875) (1875): Founder of Thelema, a major occultist, poet, and ceremonial magician.
• Carl Jung — Contemporary (Born in 1875) (1875): Pioneering analytical psychology, Jung developed the theory of archetypes and the collective unconscious.
• A. R. Rahman — Contemporary (Born in 1966) (1966): Visionary Indian composer celebrated for blending global sounds with cinematic emotion.
• Abe Saperstein — Contemporary (Died in 1966) (1966): Founder of the Harlem Globetrotters, revolutionized black basketball.
• Adam Sandler — Contemporary (Born in 1966) (1966): Acclaimed comedian and actor known for his prolific career in Hollywood comedy.
• ʻAbdu'l-Bahá — Shared historical date (05-23 · Born) (1844): Successor to Baháʼu'lláh and guiding light of the Baháʼí Faith.
• Augustin-Louis Cauchy — Shared historical date (05-23 · Died) (1857): Pioneered real and complex analysis, fundamentally shaping modern mathematics.
• AB de Villiers — Shared historical date (02-17 · Born) (1984): Legendary South African cricketer, celebrated for his all-around batting genius.
• Adolphe Quetelet — Shared historical date (02-17 · Died) (1874): Pioneering Belgian statistician, founder of anthropometry, and social scientist.
• 1875 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1875
• May 23 (05-23) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 23
• 1966 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1966
• February 17 (02-17) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on February 17