Henry Ford, an Unlikely Hero
His father wanted him to spend his life working on the family farm. His friends said his idea was outrageous. But Henry Ford, an unlikely hero, defied all odds, paving the way for today’s automobile industry through his audacity to challenge convention and persevere through obstacles.
The early years
From an early age, Henry Ford displayed a remarkable talent for machinery. He built his first steam engine at age 15, and took apart and rebuilt a watch his father gave him as a teenager.
While working as chief engineer at the Edison Illuminating Company in Detroit, Ford devoted his spare time and resources to building a gasoline-powered engine. After achieving his goal in 1893, Ford focused on his next, much bolder dream: a gasoline-powered automobile.
Ford Motor Company
Ford founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903. At the time, “horseless carriages” were very expensive and owned by only a wealthy few. Ford’s dream was to build an automobile cheap enough for the average person to own, enabling his company to profit.
The company rolled out two popular car models within a few years, but Ford was still not satisfied.
In 1908, Ford launched his dream car: the Model T, retailing at $850. The no-frills automobile was more reliable and cheaper to build than the company’s previous models. The Model T was so popular 6,389 cars sold within a few months, and demand for it quickly outpaced supply.
Ford now had a new problem. How could he increase the production rate of the Model T without raising the price?
The moving assembly line
Ford’s innovative solution was a moving assembly line. His idea was built on the assumption that if each worker performed one assigned production task, they could roll out completed automobiles much faster.
Ford’s assumption proved to be correct. After moving to a new 60-acre production plant, the company could churn out a completed Model T in less than six hours. This cut the old production time of 12+ hours by more than half. After Ford had perfected the system, the factory produced a new car every 93 minutes.
The reduction in production time enabled Ford to slash hundreds of dollars off the price of his car. Sales continued to climb as the price continued to drop until the price tag for the Model T reached its low of $290 in 1927.
A legacy that endures
Ford’s work transformed the automobile industry, and the moving assembly line sparked a modern-day industrial revolution. The Model T was named the most influential car of the 20th century. With 16.5 million vehicles sold between 1908 and 1927, the Model T remains in the top 10 list of the most-sold cars of all time.
Henry Ford was an unlikely hero from a farmer to the modern-day industrial revolution. His passion transformed America. He teaches us to follow what we love, and success will follow. You can find more about him on 42 interesting Facts about Henry Ford and The man who taught America to drive.
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