Edward M. Murphy’s first vocational experiments were found in assisting hardware dealers. His interest in and ability for manufacturing led him to enter the buggy business. In 1893, in conjunction with his father-in-law, he established the Pontiac Buggy Company. This led to other horse-drawn carriage ventures but by 1904, Murphy could see the buggy business was beginning to slump. In 1907 Murphy, Alanson Brush, and others formed the Oakland Motor Car Company. The Oakland utilized an engine originally designed by Brush for Cadillac and in 1908 the company sold 491 vehicles. A year later the firm was bought out by William C. Durant, who made it another General Motors Division. Murphy died that year following the merger and just failed to witness a spectacular production rise one year later.