Along with brothers Robert C. and Joseph C., Ray A. Graham began in the glass manufacturing business, using machines invented by Joseph. While managing the family’s farm properties, Ray became interested in the possibilities of light weight trucks and invented a rear axle to be used under a Ford chassis. After their glass company merged with the Owens Bottle Company, Joseph and Robert joined Ray to form the Graham Brothers Truck Company, builders of truck bodies. In 1921 the brothers made an agreement with Dodge allowing them to build a truck carrying the Graham nameplate, but using Dodge engines and transmissions. To keep the arrangement permanent, Dodge bought majority interest in Graham Brothers six months after the original agreement, and the Grahams became officials of Dodge Brothers. Their association with Dodge was brief, lasting only until 1927 when they left to buy and reorganize Paige-Detroit, forming the Graham-Paige Motors Corporation.