Henry Ford and the Model T Ford

Henry Ford, an American captain of Industry, the seventh-wealthiest figure of modern period, leading manufacturer of American automobiles in the early 1900’s, was the eldest child born to William and Mary Ford on July 30 1863 in Dearborn Michigan. In his younger days Ford became interested in machinery, starting by helping repair machines on his father's farm, then started fixing neighbors and classmates watches and clocks, having invented his first successful gasoline engine in 1893 and his first automobile in 1896. He is known for establishing the Ford Motor Company in 1903 with eleven investors, his company revolutionized the automobile industry with its assembly line method

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

This paper will go into detail about the young life, career and adult life of Henry Ford. Henry ford’s young life, in this paper will consist of his childhood. The paper will then describe all of his education and early jobs. Finally, this paper will conclude with Henry Ford’s adult life and home life (what he did when he wasn’t working), his career’s work and the impact Henry had on American History. This paper should help the reader better understand the life of Henry Ford: Who he was? Who he is? And why he was so vital to our American History.

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.

Henry Ford revolutionized the way people traveled throughout the nation of the United States. A short time after the first model T rolled off of the assembly line, Mr. Ford found the need to create a vehicle that would ease the burden of caring for the horses that pulled the wagons and saved time for his fellow workers. The model T pickup was born! No more horses to care for, no more strapping the carriage to the horse, and defiantly no more poop to scoop. How did Mr. Ford create so much value for the people? By recognizing there was a need to take care of, a want to fulfill, and a demand to meet.

Since an early age, Ford had taken an interest in all types of machinery. Once settled in Detroit, he took up an apprenticeship at a machine shop and a second job fixing watches at a local jewelry store. He soon joined the Detroit Drydock

Imagine how life would be if our society did not have cars. Today, our society is dependent on cars for our daily routines. From transporting our food, clothes, and technology to just going to the store across the street, cars are a very important part of our society. In the 19th century, only the wealthy and upper middle class had access to automobiles, and they only used cars for fancy transportation and to show off their money. This was due to the extreme prices of cars in the 19th century. With these high prices not many people could afford them, especially not the working class. Henry Ford revolutionized the automotive industry in the

Henry Ford had only a modest education. He didn’t invent the gasoline engine; he didn’t invent the auto mobile; he didn’t really invent anything. Yet, when he died in 1947, Ford, and the company he founded had a profound effect on the world he taught to drive. Given all that he had accomplished, it’s hard to believe Henry Ford was almost 40 when he established the Ford Motor Company. At the time America was more agricultural than industrial. Horse-less carriages were toys for a wealthy few. But in just four decades, Henry Ford had in his own words, “invented the modern age”.

Henry Ford was an engineer from Detroit, Michigan who had an idea. By 1902, Ford had attempted several times to produce a gas powered vehicle, but with little capital, he realized that his attempts were futile. Ford approached a man by the name of Alexander T. Malcomson about the possibility of manufacturing an automobile. Malcomson, a friend of the family and wealthy coal merchant was reluctant at first but finally agreed with Ford, and decided to assit Ford financially with his endeavor. With Malcomsons investment and Ford's engineering skills a partnership was formed and in mid June of 1903, papers of incorporation for the Ford Motor Company were filed in Dearborn, Michigan.

Henry really didn’t like those animals, or how dependent he was on them. He was certain that there was a better way to do everything he relied on them so much for. Then, as fate would have it, he learned about the internal combustion engine. Right about then, Henry Ford began to shape his vision. (Ford, 2012a)

The son of a farmer, Henry Ford was born near Detroit, Michigan to William Ford and Mary Ligot. Since his teens Ford has always been interested in tinkering and finding out how things worked. “At the young age of 15, he dissolved and reunited the timepieces of neighbors and friends many times and gained a status of a watch repairman.”(The Famous People) Ford started to get a lot of experience through servicing and working machines. “His father wanted him to take over the family farm over the course of time but he denied telling his father that he loved the farm just because his mother was there. In 1879, Ford left home and started working as an amateur machinist in Detroit city.” (The Famous People) He denies the opportunity to seek for something better and later on, Ford would start to work for the Westinghouse Company servicing steam

A man that went by the name of Henry Ford, once said, “I invented nothing new. I simply assembled the discoveries of other men behind whom were centuries of work…” The Ford Motor Company is an American continental automobile maker founded by Henry Ford on June 16, 1903. During the 1920s, this firm marketed automobiles that were reliable, low-cost, easy-to-operate and easier-to-fix device for the masses (Rise of the Automobile). In addition, the Ford Motor Company led the world into the expansion and refinement of the assembly line; revolutionizing our society to greater heights through its mobile products. Meanwhile, the company’s contributions benefited society through the means of the renovation of the suburbs and the invention of new services. Like no other during the 1920s, the Ford Motor Company supplied to the boom of innovations; marking its footprint to a superior society.

Henry Ford was the world’s most influential leader. From founding one of the worlds most successful car companies, to having a major influence on WWI, he has profoundly shaped the 20th century and left an impact on every single one of our lives. Although Mr. Ford is considered one of the wealthiest and most commonly known people in the world, Ford was founded by his hard work and dedication to supply a perfect product. At one point half the cars on the road worldwide were his famous model-t. As the company expanded he slowly began to make Ford more independent, such as purchasing acres of land for wood, purchasing land for rubber trees, and even having his own line of specialty glass blowers. Mr. Ford strived to give his customers the best deal possible, constantly finding ways do drop the price of his cars so they could be available to all. He has risen the standards not only in business but in the innovative world as well. Overall it is safe to say Henry Ford embodies success and has given the American Dream a new definition, he has truly inspired us all.

Ford’s dream was to produce a moderate priced, reliable, and efficient automobile, which came with the Model T in 1908.3 A company that started out small, now had over half of the car owners in America driving the Model T.1 It was easy to operate and maintain, it also handled good on rough roads. It was the most popular automobile in history, and over fifteen million were sold. With the Model T, Ford achieved his goal to make reasonable priced cars for the average person. 2

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.