Flint was founded as a village by fur trader Jacob Smith in 1819 and incorporated in 1855. From the late 19th century to the mid 20th century, the city was a leading manufacturer of carriages and later automobiles, earning it the nickname “Vehicle City”.
General Motors (GM) was founded in Flint in 1908. Flint was also the home of a sit-down strike in 1936–37 that played a vital role in the formation of the United Auto Workers. AC Spark Plug originated in Flint.