Henry Ford’s Assembly Line:
More than Just Changes to Automobile Production In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s the automobile was considered an expensive, custom made, consumer product that only the wealthy could afford to dazzle themselves with. In fact, in 1895 there was a report of only 300 cars in the United States, but that number grew dramatically in the years to come to nearly 1.7 million by 1914 (Car History, n.d.). This increase was due in part by two major shifts in the American society; the new consumer economy and the ideas that every family in America should be able to afford an automobile. Henry Ford was a large contributor to this massive increase in the United States and would make changes to the automobile industry that
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The Model T Ford was known in every household as the “affordable auto” and Henry Ford set out on a dream to make the Model T a item in every driveway across America and be able to sell them by the multitude (Goss, 2014). However, this dream was not an easy feat for those who wanted the Model T. Henry Ford had to figure out a way to get the automobile to a more affordable and reasonable price that all Americans could handle. With the cost of a Model T in the early 1900’s being $850, approximately $21,000 in today’s market, Henry Ford had to figure out more ways to make the delectable vehicle even more cheaper (Goss, 2014). When Ford first made the Model T in 1908, he had the concept of a cheap car that was attainable to everyone with a very basic, sturdy structure with no additional options from the factory or even the choice of color (Science Odyssey, 1998). After still not being able to fit the cheaper bill that was needed, even after stripping the model to its basic bones, Henry Ford knew that he must find other ways to cut the cost of the Model T to make it more …show more content…
Ford hired Fredrick Taylor, a motion study expert, to evaluate and refine the efficiency of his factories after years of trying to find ways himself (History.com, 2009). Taylor took what he saw in the factories to make a more efficient workforce while Henry Ford developed tools and equipment to help with a better flow of the workforce. Together, they realized four distinct things from other smaller businesses that they wanted to immolate and bring to the big stage. These four principles were the use of interchangeable parts, division of labor, continuous flow, and reduced wasted effort (Science Odyssey, 1998). With these four principles in mind and the dream to produce a more cost efficient vehicle, Henry Ford and Fredrick Taylor created the first large scale assembly line in 1913 (Goss, 2014). This assembly line was able to transfer the time it took to build a single Model T from twelve hours to a mere two hours and thirty minutes (History.com, 2009). With its eighty-four distinct steps in the flow of the assembly line, a division of labor was created where a worker could be trained to do one specific task making him more efficient at that task and able to do a much better job (History.com, 2009). Secondly, having interchangeable parts that would could be used between any model of Ford allowed Henry to focus on machinery that would produce these
Other manufacturers were content to target the wealthy American could buy, not even considering the middle or lower class. Ford developed a design and a method of making the cars that steadily and continuously reduced the cost of the car, the car being the Model T. Instead of pocketing the money from the cars Ford used it to make better and more efficient ways to build a car. As a result, Ford Motor Company sold more cars and steadily increased its earnings. Henry Ford somehow managed to change people from the looking at an automobile as a luxury, and more like a convenience
In the early 1900’s Henry Ford developed the idea of “a wagon that will run without a horse”.1 This idea and Ford’s success changed America and its people forever. The development of the automobile played a tremendous role in the economy, labor unions and society. Generally, when most people think of Henry Ford they reflect upon his wealth and contributions to the transportation industry as an infinitely positive phenomenon. It is thought that aside from just allowing consumers to purchase and use his inventions, he provided thousands of people with jobs and the promise of prosperity. The tale of Henry Ford’s legendary business and remarkably effective assembly line is unparalleled in
What would America be today if Henry Ford’s impact in history would have never occurred? Could the wealthy be the only citizens who could own a car? Could it be possible that the assembly line would have never been perfected? Thankfully, we don’t have to live in a world where all these possibilities are unknown. During the 20th century being able to travel from one place to another in their own car was rather strenuous to most Americans. Although the automobile did exist, it was extremely expensive and only the wealthy were able to afford it. Without Henry Ford’s impact on American history, this scenario would have never changed, only the wealthy would be driving in their own automobile today. America would not be what it is today if it weren’t for Ford. Henry Ford made an extremely impact in America through his Model T, which made automobiles more accessible for the majority of Americans, and perfecting the assembly line, which would increase mass production.
With the success of the assembly line, Ford was very please however he had a bigger goal set. Ford wanted to produce cheap cars for the common people to use. Ford made many different types of cars and experimented with each of them. They were all good but not good enough. After many different models, Ford achieved his goal with his invention of the Ford Model T. The Model T was a fully functional compact automobile with a good transmission and torque as well as comfort and size. Apart from that, the most important aspect of the Model T was that is was extremely cheap. As Sobel states,”...the model T was only worth $290 in 1924.” This was a huge
The automobile industry put American citizens into action. Mass production was a big component in the success of automobiles. Although successful, it became very repetitive. Skilled workers who were once worshipped, were no longer needed. Henry Ford was described as racist, bitter, but he brought success to citizens in the 1920s. Ford started the Ford Motor Company in 1903 with the help of a limited amount of workers in a shed. It was not until 1914 where custom-made cars turned into many cars, such as the Model T, moving down an assembly line. The Model T was a very popular car that benefitted cheap labor and easy mobility for its owners. Ford became a billionaire from the help of the federal government’s actions. At this point, the government decided that funds should be spent more on roads. Automobiles introduced
A motor car for the great multitude a goal for Henry Ford(Schlager 593). In the 1920s, automobiles are rapidly changing the American lifestyle forever because of their affordability and also the development of new assembly technology to lower the cost. Technological innovations of assembly begin to expand and advance for the better throughout the 1920s, which impacts Americans and the people of the world today. Henry Ford, a bold figure during the 1920s, owner of Ford automobiles. His ideas and innovation like the assembly line forever changes the automobile and the way goods are produce. Although there are many technological advancement during the 1920s, the assembly line designed by
The 1920 's were a time where North America became modernized. Whether it was the music, the culture or the growth in technology, this time era is known to most people as the point where America advanced itself to become a world renowned country. An advancement that will be focused on is the Ford Model T. During this time owning a car was a symbol of wealth. Henry Ford, the creator of the Model T, made a system that revolutionized the automobile industry as we know it today. Henry Ford made it possible for people with an average income to own a motor vehicle by creating the assembly line and the theory of mass production. "The horse, which had been the chief means of land transportation for 3,500 years, had given way to the automobile, and
Henry Ford, whose name arouses recognition to this day, was one of the most well known figures in the automobile industry. He had created the assembly line to use within manufacturing in order to increase productivity, and consequently, reduce the prices of automobiles. With these famously low prices, it wasn’t uncommon to see cars, such as the 1920 ReVere Touring Car, parked around cities (Doc D). Finally, most American persons would be able to afford a personal vehicle. Due to the growth in this particular industry, employment opportunities had opened up for the common man, with the demand for car factory laborers. It seems, that with this advancement, America was better
In 1908 Henry Ford had constructed the Model T; the time it took him to create this automobile was 13 days. Now eager to achieve more, Ford knew that he needed a place to construct these cars. He also knew that to sell mass amounts he would have to sell cheap, and buy parts and supplies even cheaper (Douglas, 25). The construction of the first Ford Motor plant used the world’s only conveyer belt. This was part of the Fords plan to build fast, when he constructed the assembly line cars were pumped out in as fast as 15 minuets, this was down from 19 days. Ford was able to make the automobile a car for everyman, a working man with a family.
New discoveries, inventions, and advancements improved the lives of Americans in every matter but not without a few negative outcomes. The automobile came into play in the 1920s by making traveling common for people that could not afford cars. It was Henry Ford that started the Ford Motor Company which began to produce affordable automobiles known as the Model-T. The Model-T car became so successful that by the end of the decade, there was almost one automobile per family in the United States. This automobile gave people a new type of freedom, however, the car was proven as a dangerous item when in the hands of irresponsible people who would drink and
In the beginning of the 1900s cars were only for the wealthy because of their high price point. This made it inaccessible for the common working class of America. Ford grew up in a farming family where the average person could not afford such a costly luxury item (“Model T: The” 1). The high price point of these automobiles was in part because each and every single car had to be made one at a time (“The First” 2). Due to this, Ford decided that he would start his own automobile company, making cars more affordable to the average middle class citizen.
What made the United States the great and successful nation that it has grown to be? Well there are multiple events, innovations, and ideas that were contributing factors to the growth of this country. Making it out on top of World War One, World War Two, and beating the great depression definitely made the nation stronger in the long run, or as the famous quote would put it; what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. But those events aren’t what this paper is about, the genius inventions and ideas from great Americans such as Henry Ford are what really allowed the country to become what it has. At the start of the 20th century Henry Ford sought after a way to quickly and affordably assemble a motor vehicle that would be viable and feasible to the working middle-class of America. By constructing and designing the Ford Model-T, he was able to change the way American’s commute from 1908 to present day. The production of the affordable Model-T changed the face of American travel evermore.
Managers can improve productivity through labor, capital, or management. Labor productivity can improve the quality of his or her labors force through basic training and education. Basic training could include workshop, orientation, seminar, and etc. Invest in capital can improve productivity by using machinery to help to increase productivity. This can be something like purchasing a new machine to help worker to be more productive. Then, there is management to help increase productivity. Management is responsible for ensuring that labor and capital are working together efficiently to increase productivity. This could be apply to Henry Ford and Charles Sorensen assembly lines. Ford and Sorensen using their knowledge and experience to come up
Henry Ford’s legacy began early whenever he created a self propelled wagon, but his work began to get notoriety in October of 1908 with the introduction of the Model T. This car was the first of its kind, and was fully manufactured by Ford in the United States. Henry’s goal was to produce a car that was affordable to every household income. “The Model T made its debut in 1908 with a purchase price of $825.00. Over ten thousand were sold in its first year, establishing a new record. Four years later the price dropped to $575.00 and sales soared. By 1914, Ford could claim a 48% share of the automobile market.” (Sorenson, "Henry Ford Changes the World, 1908.") The original price was in the average household’s budget, but when the price dropped four years later there was a ten times increase in the amount of Model T’s sold. Another great idol in the worlds eyes began his trek to success one century later, and has innovated his industry such as Ford did. Steve Jobs, “The Father of Apple Inc.”,
Founded in 1903, Henry Ford managed to get investor support to open the first manufacturing automobile company in Detroit, Michigan. Ford Motor Company has been known for its mass production of vehicles using a perfected assembly line method and its innovations in the automobile industry. Ford’s famous Model-T was developed as an innovative automobile that could be produced quickly, while keeping the cost to a minimum. This allowed people with a lower income the opportunity to afford an automobile. One of the biggest changes in the automobile industry occurred in 1913 with the introduction of a perfected assembly line method. This assembly line method was the one of the main reasons Ford Motor Company was able to keep the cost of vehicles and the production time to a minimum. Ford also took the first step to increase wages of their employees above the industry standard. Although it was still a very low value, Ford offered $5 per day which was a huge improvement from the $2.34 per day that most companies offered.