In the late 1890s, Ransom Eli Olds sold his first Oldsmobile and formed Olds Motor Works with a group of investors. In 1901 he introduced the curved dash Oldsmobile Runabout—the world’s first mass-produced automobile. As a minority shareholder, he became frustrated with his partners and sold his interest in the company in 1904.

Later that year, Olds formed the R. E. Olds Company, but the name was soon changed to Reo Motor Car Company to avoid a lawsuit for using the name “Olds.” The new name came from his initials but is pronounced as a word. Olds was responsible for pioneering features that remain standard in cars today, including electric lights, the electric starter, pneumatic tires, and automatic transmission. The company produced iconic vehicles such as the REO Speed Wagon, a light delivery truck that is an ancestor of pickup trucks.
After decades of growth, mergers and transformation, the R. E. Olds Company merged in 1955 with a small nuclear services firm, forming Nuclear Corporation of America—known today as Nucor. A pivotal moment came when Nuclear acquired a steel joist company in South Carolina, sparking a series of changes that would reshape steelmaking worldwide.

Innovation has been a constant thread throughout the company’s history. REO standardized automobile production methods still in use today, while Nucor pioneered electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking and mini mill technology, revolutionizing steel production in North America. This commitment to progress and transformation continues to define Nucor’s impact on industry and manufacturing.