Table of contents

0. Introduction 3 1. Early years .. 4 2. Ford Motor Company . 7 2.1 $5 day 2.2 Model 2.3 Model ! 2.4 "a#or p$ilosop$y 2.5 "a#or unions 3. Ford !irplane Company . 1% 3.1 &illo' (un 4. )olitics 1* 4.1 &orld &ar I era 4.2 &orld &ar II era 5. $e +ear#orn Independent . 21 %. International #usiness . 25 7. (acin, . 2* *. "ater career . 30 -. +eat$ ... 31 10. .ideli,$ts .. 32 10.1 Interest in materials science and en,ineerin, 10.2 /eor,ia residence and community 10.3 )reser0in, !mericana in museums and 0illa,es

10.4 $e in0ention o1 t$e automo#ile 10.5 $e in0ention o1 t$e assem#ly line 10.% Miscellaneous 11. Conclusion 3% 12. (e1erences 37

0. Introduction

I c$ose to 'rite t$is paper a#out 2enry Ford3 t$e !merican 1ounder o1 t$e Ford Motor Company and 1at$er o1 modern assem#ly lines used in mass production. $e main reason 1or c$oosin, to 'rite a#out t$is ,reat man is $is introduction o1 t$e Model automo#ile '$ic$ re0olutioni4ed transportation and !merican industry. 2e 'as a proli1ic in0entor and 'as a'arded 1%1 5... patents. !s o'ner o1 t$e Ford Motor Company $e #ecame one o1 t$e ric$est and #est67no'n people in t$e 'orld. 2e is credited 'it$ 8Fordism83 t$at is3 t$e mass production o1 lar,e num#ers o1 ine9pensi0e automo#iles usin, t$e assem#ly line3 coupled 'it$ $i,$ 'a,es 1or $is 'or7ers. Ford $ad a ,lo#al 0ision3 'it$ consumerism as t$e 7ey to peace. Ford did not #elie0e in accountants: $e amassed one o1 t$e 'orld;s lar,est 1ortunes 'it$out e0er $a0in, $is company audited under $is administration. !not$er reason 1or c$oosin, 2enry Ford is $is intense commitment to lo'erin, costs resulted in many tec$nical and #usiness inno0ations3 includin, a 1ranc$ise system t$at put a dealers$ip in e0ery city in <ort$ !merica3 and in ma=or cities on si9 continents.

1.Early years

2enry Ford 'as #orn >uly 303 1*%33 on a 1arm in /reen1ield o'ns$ip ?near +etroit3 Mic$i,an@. 2is 1at$er3 &illiam Ford ?1*2%A1-05@3 'as #orn in County Cor73 Ireland. 2is mot$er3 Mary "ito,ot Ford ?1*3-A1*7%@3 'as #orn in Mic$i,an: s$e 'as t$e youn,est c$ild o1 Bel,ian immi,rants: $er parents died '$en Mary 'as a c$ild and s$e 'as
2enry Ford at t'enty 1i0e years old

adopted #y nei,$#ors3 t$e C;2erns. 2enry Ford;s

si#lin,s include Mar,aret Ford ?1*%7A1-3*@: >ane Ford ?c. 1*%*A1-45@: &illiam Ford ?1*71A1-17@ and (o#ert Ford ?1*73A1-34@. 2is 1at$er ,a0e 2enry a poc7et 'atc$ in $is early teens. !t 1i1teen3 Ford dismantled and reassem#led t$e timepieces o1 1riends and nei,$#ors do4ens o1 times3 ,ainin, t$e reputation o1 a 'atc$ repairman. !t t'enty3 Ford 'al7ed 1our miles to t$eir Episcopal c$urc$ e0ery .unday. Ford 'as de0astated '$en $is mot$er died in 1*7%. 2is 1at$er e9pected $im to e0entually ta7e o0er t$e 1amily 1arm #ut 2enry despised 1arm 'or7. 2e told $is 1at$er3 8I ne0er $ad any particular lo0e 1or t$e 1armDit 'as t$e mot$er on t$e 1arm I lo0ed.8 In 1*7-3 $e le1t $ome to 'or7 as an apprentice mac$inist in t$e city o1 +etroit3 1irst 'it$ >ames F. Flo'er E Bros.3 and later 'it$ t$e +etroit +ry +oc7 Co. In 1**23 $e returned to +ear#orn to 'or7 on t$e 1amily 1arm and #ecame adept at operatin, t$e &estin,$ouse porta#le steam en,ine. 2e 'as later $ired #y &estin,$ouse company to ser0ice t$eir steam en,ines.

Ford married Clara !la Bryant ?c. 1*%5A1-50@ in t$e year 1*** and supported $imsel1 #y 1armin, and runnin, a sa'mill. c$ildF Edsel Bryant Ford ?1*-361-43@. In 1*-13 Ford #ecame an en,ineer 'it$ t$e Edison Illuminatin, Company3 and a1ter $is promotion to C$ie1 En,ineer in 1*-33 $e $ad enou,$ time and money to de0ote attention to $is
2enry Ford;s First Car 6 Ford Guadricycle

$ey $ad a sin,le

personal e9periments on

,asoline en,ines.

$ese e9periments culminated in 1*-% 'it$ t$e

completion o1 $is o'n sel16propelled 0e$icle named t$e Ford Guadricycle3 '$ic$ $e test6dro0e on >une 4. !1ter 0arious test6dri0es3 Ford #rainstormed 'ays to impro0e t$e Guadricycle. !lso in 1*-%3 Ford attended a meetin, o1 Edison e9ecuti0es3 '$ere $e 'as introduced to $omas Edison. Edison appro0ed o1 Ford;s automo#ile e9perimentation: encoura,ed #y Edison;s appro0al3 Ford desi,ned and #uilt a second 0e$icle3 '$ic$ 'as completed in 1*-*. Bac7ed #y t$e capital o1 +etroit lum#er #aron &illiam 2. Murp$y3 Ford resi,ned 1rom Edison and 1ounded t$e +etroit !utomo#ile Company on !u,ust 53 1*--. 2o'e0er3 t$e automo#iles produced 'ere o1 a lo'er Huality and $i,$er price t$an Ford li7ed. 5ltimately3 t$e company 'as not success1ul and 'as dissol0ed in >anuary 1-01. &it$ t$e $elp o1 C. 2arold &ills3 Ford desi,ned3 #uilt3 and success1ully raced a t'enty si9 $orsepo'er automo#ile in Ccto#er 1-01. &it$ t$is
5

success3 Murp$y and ot$er stoc7$olders in t$e +etroit !utomo#ile Company 1ormed t$e 2enry Ford Company on <o0em#er 303 1-013 'it$ Ford as c$ie1 en,ineer. 2o'e0er3 Murp$y #rou,$t in 2enry M. "eland as a consultant. !s a result3 Ford le1t t$e company #earin, $is name in 1-02. &it$ Ford ,one3 Murp$y renamed t$e company t$e Cadillac !utomo#ile Company. Ford also produced t$e *0I $orsepo'er racer 8---83 and ,ettin, Barney Cld1ield to dri0e it to 0ictory in Ccto#er 1-02. Ford recei0ed t$e #ac7in, o1 an old acHuaintance3 !le9ander J. Malcomson3 a +etroit6area coal dealer. $ey 1ormed a partners$ip3 8Ford E Malcomson3 "td.8 to manu1acture automo#iles. Ford 'ent to 'or7 desi,nin, an ine9pensi0e automo#ile3 and t$e duo leased a 1actory and contracted 'it$ a mac$ine s$op o'ned #y >o$n and 2orace E. +od,e to supply o0er $1%03000 in parts. .ales 'ere slo'3 and a crisis arose '$en t$e +od,e #rot$ers demanded payment 1or t$eir 1irst s$ipment.

2. Ford Motor Company

In response3 Malcomson #rou,$t in anot$er ,roup o1 in0estors and con0inced t$e +od,e Brot$ers to accept a portion o1 t$e ne' company. Ford E Malcomson 'as reincorporated as t$e Ford Motor Company on >une 1%3 1-033 'it$ $2*3000 capital. $e ori,inal in0estors included Ford and Malcomson3 #rot$ers3 (ac7$am3 Cou4ens. t$e +od,e Malcomson;s and In a >ames ne'ly

uncle >o$n .. /ray3 2orace

desi,ned car3 Ford ,a0e an e9$i#ition on t$e ice o1 "a7e .t. Clair3 dri0in, 1 mile ?1.% 7m@ in 3-.4 seconds3 settin, a ne' land speed record at -1.3 miles per $our ?147.0 7mK$@. Con0inced #y t$is success3
2enry Ford 'it$ $omas Edison and 2ar0ey Firestone. Ft. Myers3

t$e race dri0er Barney Cld1ield3 '$o named t$is

Florida3 Fe#ruary 113 1-2-.

ne' Ford model 8---8 in $onor o1 a racin, locomoti0e o1 t$e day3 too7 t$e car around t$e country3 ma7in, t$e Ford #rand 7no'n t$rou,$out t$e 5nited .tates. Ford also 'as one o1 t$e early #ac7ers o1 t$e Indianapolis 500.

2.1 $5 day
Ford astonis$ed t$e 'orld in 1-14 #y o11erin, a $5 per day 'a,e3 '$ic$ more t$an dou#led t$e rate o1 most o1 $is 'or7ers. ?5sin, t$e consumer

price inde93 t$is 'as eHui0alent to $111.10 per day in 2010 dollars.@

$e

mo0e pro0ed e9tremely pro1ita#le: instead o1 constant turno0er o1 employees3 t$e #est mec$anics in +etroit 1loc7ed to Ford3 #rin,in, in t$eir $uman capital and e9pertise3 raisin, producti0ity3 and lo'erin, trainin, costs. Ford called it 8'a,e moti0e.8 $e company;s use o1 0ertical inte,ration also pro0ed success1ul '$en Ford #uilt a ,i,antic 1actory t$at s$ipped in ra' materials and s$ipped out 1inis$ed automo#iles.

2.2 Model T
$e Model 'as

introduced on Ccto#er 13 1-0*. It $ad t$e steerin, '$eel on t$e le1t3 '$ic$ e0ery ot$er company soon copied. and $e entire en,ine transmission 'ere

enclosed: t$e 1our cylinders 'ere cast in a solid #loc7: t$e suspension used t'o semi6elliptic sprin,s. $e car 'as 0ery simple to dri0e3 and easy and c$eap to repair. It 'as so c$eap at $*25 in 1-0* ?t$e price 1ell e0ery year@ t$at #y t$e 1-20s a ma=ority o1 !merican dri0ers learned to dri0e on t$e Model . Ford created a massi0e pu#licity mac$ine in +etroit to ensure e0ery ne'spaper carried stories and ads a#out t$e ne' product. Ford;s net'or7 o1 local dealers made t$e car u#iHuitous in 0irtually e0ery city in <ort$ !merica. !s independent dealers3 t$e 1ranc$ises ,re' ric$ and pu#lici4ed not =ust t$e Ford #ut t$e 0ery concept o1 automo#ilin,: local motor clu#s

spran, up to $elp ne' dri0ers and to e9plore t$e countryside. Ford 'as al'ays ea,er to sell to 1armers3 '$o loo7ed on t$e 0e$icle as a commercial de0ice to $elp t$eir #usiness. .ales s7yroc7etedDse0eral years posted 100L ,ains on t$e pre0ious year. !l'ays on t$e $unt 1or more e11iciency and lo'er costs3 in 1-13 Ford introduced t$e mo0in, assem#ly #elts into $is plants3 '$ic$ ena#led an enormous increase in production. !lt$ou,$ 2enry Ford is o1ten
Ford !ssem#ly "ine3 1-13 .ales passed 2503000 in 1-14.

credited

'it$

t$e

idea3

contemporary sources indicate t$at t$e

concept and its de0elopment came 1rom employees Clarence !0ery3 )eter E. Martin3 C$arles E. .orensen3 and C. 2arold &ills. By 1-1%3 as t$e price dropped to $3%0 1or t$e #asic tourin, car3 sales reac$ed 4723000. ?5sin, t$e consumer price inde93 t$is price 'as eHui0alent to $73020 in 2010 dollars.@ By 1-1*3 $al1 o1 all cars in !merica 'ere Model ;s. 2o'e0er3 it 'as a monolit$ic #loc7: as Ford 'rote in $is auto#io,rap$y3 8!ny customer can $a0e a car painted any colour t$at $e 'ants so lon, as it is #lac78. 5ntil t$e de0elopment o1 t$e assem#ly line3 '$ic$ mandated #lac7 #ecause o1 its Huic7er dryin, time3 Model ;s 'ere a0aila#le in ot$er colors includin, red. $e desi,n 'as 1er0ently promoted and de1ended #y Ford3 and production continued as late as 1-27: t$e 1inal total production 'as 1530073034. $is record stood 1or t$e ne9t 45 years. $is record 'as ac$ie0ed in =ust 1- years 1lat 1rom t$e introduction o1 t$e 1irst Model ?1-0*@.

)resident &oodro' &ilson as7ed Ford to run as a +emocrat 1or t$e 5nited .tates .enate 1rom Mic$i,an in 1-1*. !lt$ou,$ t$e nation 'as at 'ar3 Ford ran as a peace candidate and a stron, supporter o1 t$e proposed "ea,ue o1 <ations. 2enry Ford turned t$e presidency o1 Ford Motor Company o0er to $is son Edsel Ford in +ecem#er 1-1*. 2enry3 $o'e0er3 retained 1inal decision aut$ority and sometimes re0ersed $is son. 2enry started anot$er company3 2enry Ford and .on3 and made a s$o' o1 ta7in, $imsel1 and $is #est employees to t$e ne' company: t$e ,oal 'as to scare t$e remainin, $oldout stoc7$olders o1 t$e Ford Motor Company to sell t$eir sta7es to $im #e1ore t$ey lost most o1 t$eir 0alue. ?2e 'as determined to $a0e 1ull control o0er strate,ic decisions@. $e ruse 'or7ed3 and 2enry and Edsel purc$ased all remainin, stoc7 1rom t$e ot$er in0estors3 t$us ,i0in, t$e 1amily sole o'ners$ip o1 t$e company. By t$e mid61-20s3 sales o1 t$e Model #e,an to decline due to risin, competition. Ct$er auto ma7ers o11ered payment plans t$rou,$ '$ic$ consumers could #uy t$eir cars3 '$ic$ usually included more modern mec$anical 1eatures and stylin, not a0aila#le 'it$ t$e Model into t$e Model or to 1orm a customer credit plan. . +espite ur,in,s 1rom Edsel3 2enry stead1astly re1used to incorporate ne' 1eatures

2.3 Model
By 1-2%3 1la,,in, sales o1 t$e Model 1inally con0inced 2enry to

ma7e a ne' model. 2enry pursued t$e pro=ect 'it$ a ,reat deal o1 tec$nical e9pertise in desi,n o1 t$e en,ine3 c$assis3 and ot$er mec$anical necessities3

10

'$ile lea0in, t$e #ody desi,n to $is son. Edsel also mana,ed to pre0ail o0er $is 1at$er;s initial o#=ections in t$e inclusion o1 a slidin,6s$i1t transmission. $e result 'as t$e success1ul Ford Model !3 introduced in +ecem#er 1-27 and produced t$rou,$ 1-313 'it$ a total output o1 more t$an Ford model system t$at 4 million. t$e company c$an,e similar to recently .u#seHuently3

adopted an annual

pioneered #y its competitor /eneral Motors ?and still in use #y automa7ers today@. <ot until t$e 1-30s did Ford o0ercome $is o#=ection to 1inance companies3 and t$e Ford6o'ned 5ni0ersal Credit Corporation #ecame a ma=or car61inancin, operation.

2.! "abor p#ilosop#y

2enry Ford 'as a pioneer o1 8'el1are capitalism8 desi,ned to impro0e t$e lot o1 $is 'or7ers
11

and especially to reduce t$e $ea0y turno0er t$at $ad many departments $irin, 300 men per year to 1ill 100 slots. E11iciency meant $irin, and 7eepin, t$e #est 'or7ers. Ford announced $is $56per6day pro,ram on >anuary 53 1-14. $e re0olutionary pro,ram called 1or a raise in minimum daily pay 1rom $2.34 to $5 1or Huali1yin, 'or7ers. It also set a ne'3 reduced 'or7'ee73 alt$ou,$ t$e details 0ary in di11erent accounts. Ford and Cro't$er in 1-22 descri#ed it as
Time Magazine3 >anuary 143 1-35.

si9 *6$our days3 ,i0in, a 4*6$our 'ee73 '$ile in 1-2% t$ey descri#ed it as 1i0e *6$our days3 ,i0in,

a 406$our 'ee7. ?!pparently t$e pro,ram started 'it$ .aturdays as 'or7days and sometime later made t$em days o11.@ Ford says t$at 'it$ t$is 0oluntary c$an,e3 la#or turno0er in $is plants 'ent 1rom $u,e to so small t$at $e stopped #ot$erin, to measure it. &$en Ford started t$e 406$our 'or7 'ee7 and a minimum 'a,e $e 'as critici4ed #y ot$er industrialists and #y &all .treet. 2e pro0ed3 $o'e0er3 t$at payin, people more 'ould ena#le Ford 'or7ers to a11ord t$e cars t$ey 'ere producin, and #e ,ood 1or t$e economy. Ford e9plained t$e c$an,e in part o1 t$e 8&a,es8 c$apter o1 My Life and Work. 2e la#eled t$e increased compensation as pro1it6s$arin, rat$er t$an 'a,es. $e pro1it6s$arin, 'as o11ered to employees '$o $ad 'or7ed at t$e company 1or si9 mont$s or more3 and3 importantly3 conducted t$eir li0es in a manner o1 '$ic$ Ford;s 8.ocial +epartment8 appro0ed. $ey 1ro'ned on $ea0y drin7in,3 ,am#lin,3 and '$at mi,$t today #e called 8dead#eat dads8. $e .ocial +epartment used 50 in0esti,ators3 plus support sta113 to maintain employee standards: a lar,e percenta,e o1 'or7ers 'ere a#le to Huali1y 1or t$is 8pro1it6s$arin,.8

12

Ford;s incursion into $is employees; pri0ate li0es 'as $i,$ly contro0ersial3 and $e soon #ac7ed o11 1rom t$e most intrusi0e aspects: #y t$e time $e 'rote $is 1-22 memoir3 $e spo7e o1 t$e .ocial +epartment and o1 t$e pri0ate conditions 1or pro1it6s$arin, in t$e past tense3 and admitted t$at 8paternalism $as no place in industry. &el1are 'or7 t$at consists in pryin, into employees; pri0ate concerns is out o1 date. Men need counsel and men need $elp3 o1tentimes special $elp: and all t$is ou,$t to #e rendered 1or decency;s sa7e. But t$e #road 'or7a#le plan o1 in0estment and participation 'ill do more to solidi1y industry and stren,t$en or,ani4ation t$an 'ill any social 'or7 on t$e outside. &it$out c$an,in, t$e principle 'e $a0e c$an,ed t$e met$od o1 payment.8

2.5 "abor unions

Ford 'as adamantly a,ainst la#or unions. 2e e9plained $is 0ie's on unions in C$apter 1* o1 My Life and Work. 2e t$ou,$t t$ey 'ere too $ea0ily in1luenced #y some leaders '$o3 despite t$eir ostensi#le ,ood moti0es3 'ould end up doin, more $arm t$an ,ood 1or 'or7ers. Most 'anted to restrict producti0ity as a means to 1oster employment3 #ut Ford sa' t$is as sel16de1eatin, #ecause3 in $is 0ie'3 producti0ity 'as necessary 1or any economic prosperity to e9ist. 2e #elie0ed t$at producti0ity ,ains t$at o#0iated certain =o#s 'ould ne0ert$eless stimulate t$e lar,er economy and t$us ,ro' ne' =o#s else'$ere3 '$et$er 'it$in t$e same corporation or in ot$ers. Ford also
13

#elie0ed t$at union leaders ?most particularly "eninist6leanin, ones@ $ad a per0erse incenti0e to 1oment perpetual socio6economic crisis as a 'ay to maintain t$eir o'n po'er. Mean'$ile3 $e #elie0ed t$at smart mana,ers $ad an incenti0e to do ri,$t #y t$eir 'or7ers3 #ecause doin, so 'ould actually ma9imi4e t$eir o'n pro1its. ?Ford did ac7no'led,e3 $o'e0er3 t$at many mana,ers 'ere #asically too #ad at mana,in, to understand t$is 1act.@ But Ford #elie0ed t$at e0entually3 i1 ,ood mana,ers suc$ as $imsel1 could success1ully 1end o11 t$e attac7s o1 mis,uided people 1rom #ot$ le1t and ri,$t ?i.e.3 #ot$ socialists and #ad6mana,er reactionaries@3 t$e ,ood mana,ers 'ould create a socio6economic system '$erein neit$er #ad mana,ement nor #ad unions could 1ind enou,$ support to continue e9istin,. o 1orestall union acti0ity Ford promoted 2arry Bennett3 a 1ormer <a0y #o9er3 to $ead t$e .er0ice +epartment. Bennett employed 0arious intimidation tactics to sHuas$ union or,ani4in,. $e most 1amous incident3 in 1-373 'as a #loody #ra'l #et'een company security men and or,ani4ers t$at #ecame 7no'n as $e Battle o1 t$e C0erpass. In t$e late 1-30s and early 1-40s3 Edsel ?'$o 'as president o1 t$e company@ t$ou,$t it 'as necessary 1or Ford to come to some sort o1 collecti0e #ar,ainin, a,reement 'it$ t$e unions3 #ecause t$e 0iolence3 'or7 disruptions3 and #itter stalemates could not ,o on 1ore0er. But 2enry ?'$o still $ad t$e 1inal 0eto in t$e company on a de 1acto #asis e0en i1 not an o11icial one@ re1used to cooperate. For se0eral years3 $e 7ept Bennett in c$ar,e o1 tal7in, to t$e unions t$at 'ere tryin, to or,ani4e t$e Ford company. .orensen;s memoir ma7es clear t$at 2enry;s purpose in puttin, Bennett in c$ar,e 'as to ma7e sure no a,reements 'ere e0er reac$ed. $e Ford company 'as t$e last +etroit automa7er to reco,ni4e t$e 5nited !uto &or7ers union ?5!&@. ! sit6do'n stri7e #y t$e 5!& union in
14

!pril 1-41 closed t$e (i0er (ou,e )lant. .orensen said a distrau,$t 2enry Ford 'as 0ery close to 1ollo'in, t$rou,$ 'it$ a t$reat to #rea7 up t$e company rat$er t$an cooperate #ut t$at $is 'i1e3 Clara3 told $im s$e 'ould lea0e $im i1 $e destroyed t$e 1amily #usiness t$at s$e 'anted to see $er son and ,randsons lead into t$e 1uture. 2enry complied 'it$ $is 'i1e;s ultimatum3 and Ford 'ent literally o0erni,$t 1rom t$e most stu##orn $oldout amon, automa7ers to t$e one 'it$ t$e most 1a0ora#le 5!& contract terms. $e contract 'as si,ned in >une 1-41.

3. Ford irplane Company

Ford3 li7e ot$er automo#ile companies3 entered t$e a0iation #usiness durin, &orld &ar I3 #uildin, "i#erty en,ines. !1ter t$e 'ar3 it returned to auto manu1acturin, until 1-253 '$en 2enry Ford acHuired t$e .tout Metal !irplane Company. Ford;s success1ul most aircra1t

'as t$e Ford 4! rimotor D called t$e M in /ooseN o1 its #ecause

corru,ated metal construction. It used a ne' alloy called !lclad t$at com#ined t$e corrosion resistance o1 aluminum 'it$ t$e stren,t$ o1
15

duralumin. $e plane 'as similar to Fo77er;s O.OII63m3 and some say t$at Ford;s en,ineers surreptitiously measured t$e Fo77er plane and t$en copied it. $e rimotor 1irst 1le' on >une 113 1-2%3 and 'as t$e 1irst success1ul 5... passen,er airliner3 accommodatin, a#out 12 passen,ers in a rat$er uncom1orta#le 1as$ion. .e0eral 0ariants 'ere also used #y t$e 5... !rmy. 2enry Ford $as #een $onored #y t$e .mit$sonian Institution 1or c$an,in, t$e a0iation industry. !#out 200 rimotors 'ere #uilt #e1ore it 'as discontinued in 1-333 '$en t$e Ford !irplane +i0ision s$ut do'n #ecause o1 poor sales durin, t$e /reat +epression.

3.1 $illo% &un

)resident Fran7lin +. (oose0elt re1erred to +etroit as t$e 8!rsenal o1 +emocracy.8 $e Ford Motor Company played a pi0otal role in t$e !llied 0ictory durin, &orld &ar I and &orld &ar II. &it$ Europe under sie,e3 t$e Ford company;s ,enius turned to mass production 1or t$e 'ar e11ort. .peci1ically3 Ford e9amined t$e B624 "i#erator #om#er3 still t$e most6 produced !llied #om#er in $istory3 '$ic$ Huic7ly s$i1ted t$e #alance o1 po'er. Be1ore Ford3 and under optimal conditions3 t$e a0iation industry could produce one Consolidated !ircra1t B624 Bom#er a day at an aircra1t plant. Ford s$o'ed t$e 'orld $o' to produce one B624 an $our at a pea7 o1 %00 per mont$ in 246$our s$i1ts. Ford;s &illo' (un 1actory #ro7e ,round in !pril 1-41. !t t$e time3 it 'as t$e lar,est assem#ly plant in t$e 'orld3 'it$ o0er 335003000 sHuare 1eet ?3303000 m2@.

1%

Mass production o1 t$e B6243 led #y C$arles .orensen and later Mead Bric7er3 #e,an #y !u,ust 1-43. Many pilots slept on cots 'aitin, 1or ta7eo11 as t$e B624 rolled o11 t$e assem#ly line at Ford;s &illo' (un 1acility.

!. 'olitics
!.1 $orld $ar I era
2enry Ford opposed 'ar3 '$ic$ $e t$ou,$t 'as a 'aste o1 time. Ford #ecame $i,$ly critical o1 t$ose '$o $e 1elt 1inanced 'ar3 and $e seemed to do '$ate0er $e could to stop t$em. 2e 1elt time 'as #etter spent ma7in, t$in,s. In 1-153 >e'is$ paci1ist (osi7a .c$'immer $ad ,ained t$e 1a0or o1 2enry Ford3 '$o a,reed to 1und a peace s$ip to Europe3 '$ere &orld &ar I 'as ra,in,3 1or $imsel1 and a#out 170 ot$er prominent peace leaders. Ford;s Episcopalian pastor3 (e0erend .amuel .. MarHuis3 accompanied $im on t$e mission. MarHuis also $eaded Ford;s .ociolo,y +epartment 1rom 1-13 to 1-21. Ford tal7ed to )resident &ilson a#out t$e mission #ut $ad no ,o0ernment support. 2is ,roup 'ent to neutral .'eden and t$e <et$erlands

17

to meet 'it$ peace acti0ists t$ere. !s a tar,et o1 muc$ ridicule3 $e le1t t$e s$ip as soon as it reac$ed .'eden. !n article /. P. C$esterton 'rote 1or t$e +ecem#er 123 1-1%3 issue o1 Illustrated London News, s$o's '$y Ford;s e11ort 'as ridiculed. (e1errin, to Ford as 8t$e cele#rated !merican comedian38 C$esterton noted t$at Ford $ad #een Huoted claimin,3 8I #elie0e t$at t$e sin7in, o1 t$e Lusitania 'as deli#erately planned to ,et t$is country Q!mericaR into 'ar. It 'as planned #y t$e 1inanciers o1 'ar.8 C$esterton e9pressed 8di11iculty in #elie0in, t$at #an7ers s'im under t$e sea to cut $oles in t$e #ottoms o1 s$ips38 and as7ed '$y3 i1 '$at Ford said 'as true3 /ermany too7 responsi#ility 1or t$e sin7in, and 8de1ended '$at it did not do.8 Mr. Ford;s e11orts3 $e concluded3 8Hueer t$e pitc$8 o1 8more plausi#le and presenta#le8 paci1ists. Cn t$e ot$er $and 2./. &ells3 in The Shape of Things to Come3 de0oted an entire c$apter to t$e Ford )eace .$ip3 statin, t$at 8despite its 1ailure3 t$is e11ort to stop t$e 'ar 'ill #e remem#ered '$en t$e ,enerals and t$eir #attles and senseless slau,$ter are 1or,otten.8 &ells claimed t$at t$e !merican armaments industry and #an7s3 '$o made enormous pro1its 1rom sellin, munitions to t$e 'arrin, European nations3 deli#erately spread lies in order to cause t$e 1ailure o1 Ford;s peace e11orts. 2e noted3 $o'e0er3 t$at '$en t$e 5... entered t$e 'ar in 1-173 Ford too7 part and made considera#le pro1its 1rom t$e sale o1 munitions. $e episode 'as 1ictionali4ed #y t$e Britis$ no0elist +ou,las /al#rait$ in $is no0el ing !enry. In 1-1*3 'it$ t$e 'ar still ra,in, and t$e "ea,ue o1 <ations a ,ro'in, issue in ,lo#al politics3 )resident &oodro' &ilson encoura,ed Ford to run 1or a Mic$i,an seat in t$e 5... .enate3 #elie0in, $e 'ould tip t$e scales in 1a0or o1 &ilson;s proposed "ea,ue. 8Jou are t$e only man in Mic$i,an '$o
1*

can #e elected and $elp #rin, a#out t$e peace you so desire38 t$e president 'rote Ford. Ford 'rote #ac7F 8I1 t$ey 'ant to elect me let t$em do so3 #ut I 'on;t ma7e a penny;s in0estment.8 Ford did run3 $o'e0er3 and came 'it$in 43500 0otes o1 'innin,3 out o1 more t$an 4003000 cast state'ide.

!.2 $orld $ar II era

Ford and !dol1 2itler admired eac$ ot$er;s ac$ie0ements. !dol1 2itler 7ept a li1e6si4e portrait o1 Ford ne9t to $is des7. 8I re,ard 2enry Ford as my inspiration38 2itler told a +etroit <e's reporter t'o years #e1ore #ecomin, t$e C$ancellor o1 /ermany in 1-33. In >uly 1-3*3 1our mont$s a1ter t$e /erman anne9ation o1 !ustria3 Ford 'as a'arded t$e /rand Cross o1 t$e /erman Ea,le3 t$e $i,$est medal a'arded #y <a4i /ermany to 1orei,ners. Ford disli7ed t$e administration o1 )resident Fran7lin +. (oose0elt and did not appro0e o1 5... in0ol0ement in t$e 'ar. $ere1ore3 1rom 1-3- to 1-433 t$e &ar )roduction Board;s dealin,s 'it$ t$e Ford Motor Company 'ere 'it$ ot$ers in t$e or,ani4ation3 suc$ as Edsel Ford and C$arles .orensen3 muc$ more t$an 'it$ Ford. !1ter )earl 2ar#or3 Ford initially re1used to con0ert $is 1actories to 'ar 'or7. +urin, t$is time3 Ford did not stop $is e9ecuti0es 1rom cooperatin, 'it$ &as$in,ton3 #ut $e $imsel1 did not ,et deeply in0ol0ed. 2e 'atc$ed3 1ocusin, on $is o'n pet side pro=ects3 as t$e 'or7 pro,ressed. !1ter Edsel Ford;s passin,3 2enry Ford resumed control o1 t$e company in 1-43. !1ter years o1 t$e /reat +epression3 la#or stri1e3 and <e' +eal3 $e suspected people in &as$in,ton 'ere conspirin, to 'rest t$e company 1rom $is control. Ironically3 $is paranoia 'as trendin, to'ard sel161ul1illin, prop$esy3 as $is attitude inspired #ac7,round c$atter in &as$in,ton a#out

1-

$o' to undermine $is control o1 t$e company3 '$et$er #y 'artime ,o0ernment 1iat or #y insti,atin, some sort o1 coup amon, e9ecuti0es and directors. In 1-4538'it$ t$e company teeterin, on t$e #rin7 o1 #an7ruptcy38 Edsel;s 'ido' led an ouster and installed $er son3 2enry Ford II3 as president.

5. T#e (earborn Independent

In 1-1*3 Ford;s closest aide and pri0ate secretary3 Ernest /. "ie#old3 purc$ased an o#scure 'ee7ly ne'spaper3 The "ear#orn Independent 1or Ford. $e Independent ran 1or ei,$t years3 1rom 1-20 until 1-273 durin, $e ne'spaper pu#lis$ed 8)rotocols o1 t$e a 1or,ery durin, t$e Independent$s pu#lis$in, run. >e'is$ $e !merican .ociety 2istorical '$ic$ "ie#old 'as editor.

"earned Elders o1 Sion38 '$ic$ 'as discredited #y The Times o1 "ondon as

descri#ed t$e ideas presented in t$e ma,a4ine as 8anti6immi,rant3 anti6 la#or3 anti6liHuor3 and anti6 .emitic.8 In Fe#ruary 1-213 t$e New %ork World pu#lis$ed an inter0ie' 'it$ Ford3 in '$ic$ $e said 8 $e only statement I care to

20

ma7e a#out t$e )rotocols is t$at t$ey 1it in 'it$ '$at is ,oin, on.8 +urin, t$is period3 Ford emer,ed as 8a respected spo7esman 1or ri,$t6'in, e9tremism and reli,ious pre=udice38 reac$in, around 7003000 readers t$rou,$ $is ne'spaper. !lon, 'it$ t$e &roto'ols3 anti6>e'is$ articles pu#lis$ed #y The "ear#orn Independent also 'ere released in t$e early 1-20s as a set o1 1our #ound 0olumes3 in a non6Ford pu#lication in
The non*)ord pu#li'ation The International (ew, the World$s )oremost &ro#lem. !rticles 1rom The "ear#orn Independent3 1-20

&eimar (epu#lic /ermany cumulati0ely titled The International (ew, the World$s )oremost

&ro#lem. Oincent Curcio 'rote o1 t$ese pu#lications t$at 8t$ey 'ere 'idely distri#uted and $ad ,reat in1luence3 particularly in <a4i /ermany3 '$ere no less a persona,e t$an !dol1 2itler read and admired t$em.8 2itler3 1ascinated 'it$ automo#iles3 $un, Ford;s picture on $is 'all: Ford is t$e only !merican mentioned in Mein ampf. .te0en &atts 'rote t$at 2itler 8re0ered8 Ford3 proclaimin, t$at 8I s$all do my #est to put $is t$eories into practice in /ermany3 and modelin, t$e Ool7s'a,en3 t$e people;s car3 on t$e model .8 Cn Fe#ruary 13 1-24 Ford recei0ed a representati0e o1 2itler3 Purt "udec7e3 at $is $ome. "udec7e 'as introduced to Ford #y .ie,1ried &a,ner ?son o1 t$e 1amous composer (ic$ard &a,ner@ and .ie,1ried;s 'i1e &ini1red &a,ner3 #ot$ <a4i sympat$i4ers and anti6.emites. "udec7e as7ed Ford 1or a contri#ution to t$e <a4i cause #ut 'as apparently re1used. +enounced #y t$e !nti6+e1amation "ea,ue ?!+"@3 t$e articles ne0ert$eless e9plicitly condemned po,roms and 0iolence a,ainst >e's ?Oolume 43 C$apter *0@3 pre1errin, to #lame incidents o1 mass 0iolence on t$e >e's t$emsel0es. <one o1 t$is 'or7 'as actually 'ritten #y Ford3 '$o 'rote almost not$in, accordin, to trial testimony. Friends and #usiness
21

associates $a0e said t$ey 'arned Ford a#out t$e contents o1 t$e Independent and t$at $e pro#a#ly ne0er read t$em. ?2e claimed $e only read t$e $eadlines.@ 2o'e0er3 court testimony in a li#el suit3 #rou,$t #y one o1 t$e tar,ets o1 t$e ne'spaper3 alle,ed t$at Ford did 7no' a#out t$e contents o1 t$e Independent in ad0ance o1 pu#lication. ! li#el la'suit #rou,$t #y .an Francisco la'yer and >e'is$ 1arm cooperati0e or,ani4er !aron .apiro in response to anti6.emitic remar7s led Ford to close t$e Independent in +ecem#er 1-27. <e's reports at t$e time Huoted $im as #ein, s$oc7ed #y t$e content and $a0in, #een una'are o1 its nature. +urin, t$e trial3 t$e editor o1 Ford;s 8C'n )a,e38 &illiam Cameron3 testi1ied t$at Ford $ad not$in, to do 'it$ t$e editorials e0en t$ou,$ t$ey 'ere under $is #yline. Cameron testi1ied at t$e li#el trial t$at $e ne0er discussed t$e content o1 t$e pa,es or sent t$em to Ford 1or $is appro0al. In0esti,ati0e =ournalist Ma9 &allace noted t$at 8'$ate0er credi#ility t$is a#surd claim may $a0e $ad 'as soon undermined '$en >ames M. Miller3 a 1ormer "ear#orn Independent employee3 s'ore under oat$ t$at Ford $ad told $im $e intended to e9pose .apiro.8 Mic$ael Bar7un o#ser0ed3 8 $at Cameron 'ould $a0e continued to pu#lis$ suc$ contro0ersial material 'it$out Ford;s e9plicit instructions seemed unt$in7a#le to t$ose '$o 7ne' #ot$ men. Mrs. .tanley (uddiman3 a Ford 1amily intimate3 remar7ed t$at ;I don;t t$in7 Mr. Cameron e0er 'rote anyt$in, 1or pu#lication 'it$out Mr. Ford;s appro0al.;8 !ccordin, to .pencer Bla7eslee3 M $e !+" mo#ili4ed prominent >e's and non6>e's to pu#licly oppose Ford;s messa,e. $ey 1ormed a coalition o1 >e'is$ ,roups 1or t$e same purpose and raised constant o#=ections in t$e +etroit press. Be1ore lea0in, $is presidency early in 1-213 &oodro' &ilson =oined ot$er leadin,
22

!mericans in a statement t$at re#u7ed Ford and ot$ers 1or t$eir antisemitic campai,n. ! #oycott a,ainst Ford products #y >e's and li#eral C$ristians also $ad an impact3 and Ford s$ut do'n t$e paper in 1-273 recantin, $is 0ie's in a pu#lic letter to .i,mund "i0in,ston3 !+".N Ford;s 1-27 apolo,y $ad #een 'ell recei0ed3 8Four6Fi1t$s o1 t$e $undreds o1 letters addressed to Ford in >uly o1 1-27 'ere 1rom >e's3 and almost 'it$out e9ception t$ey praised t$e Industrialist.8 In >anuary 1-373 a Ford statement to t$e "etroit (ewish Chroni'le disa0o'ed 8any connection '$atsoe0er 'it$ t$e pu#lication in /ermany o1 a #oo7 7no'n as t$e International (ew.8 In >uly 1-3*3 prior to t$e out#rea7 o1 'ar3 t$e /erman consul at Cle0eland ,a0e Ford3 on $is 75t$ #irt$day3 t$e a'ard o1 t$e /rand Cross o1 t$e /erman Ea,le3 t$e $i,$est medal <a4i /ermany could #esto' on a 1orei,ner3 '$ile >ames +. Mooney3 0ice6president o1 o0erseas operations 1or /eneral Motors3 recei0ed a similar medal3 t$e Merit Cross o1 t$e /erman Ea,le3 First Class. +istri#ution o1 International (ew 'as $alted in 1-42 t$rou,$ le,al action #y Ford despite
/rand Cross o1 t$e /erman Ea,le3 an a'ard #esto'ed on Ford #y <a4i /ermany

complications 1rom a lac7 o1 copyri,$t3 #ut e9tremist ,roups o1ten recycle t$e material: it

still appears on antisemitic and neo6<a4i 'e#sites. Cne >e'is$ personality '$o 'as said to $a0e #een 1riendly 'it$ Ford is +etroit >ud,e 2arry Peidan. &$en as7ed a#out t$is connection3 Ford replied t$at Peidan 'as only $al16>e'is$. ! close colla#orator o1 2enry Ford durin,
23

&orld &ar II reported t$at Ford3 at t$e time #ein, more t$an *0 years old3 'as s$o'n a mo0ie o1 t$e <a4i concentration camps.

). International business

Ford;s p$ilosop$y 'as one o1 economic independence 1or t$e 5nited .tates. 2is (i0er (ou,e )lant #ecame t$e 'orld;s lar,est industrial comple93 pursuin, 0ertical inte,ration to suc$ an e9tent t$at it could e0en produce its o'n steel. Ford;s ,oal 'as to produce a 0e$icle 1rom scratc$ 'it$out reliance on 1orei,n trade. 2e #elie0ed in t$e ,lo#al e9pansion o1 $is company. 2e #elie0ed t$at international trade and cooperation led to international peace3 and $e used t$e assem#ly line process and production o1 t$e Model to demonstrate it. 2e opened Ford assem#ly plants in Britain and Canada in 1-113 and soon #ecame t$e #i,,est automoti0e producer in t$ose countries. In 1-123 Ford cooperated 'it$ !,nelli o1 Fiat to launc$ t$e 1irst Italian automoti0e assem#ly plants. $e 1irst plants in /ermany 'ere #uilt in t$e 1-20s 'it$ t$e encoura,ement o1 2er#ert 2oo0er and t$e Commerce +epartment3 '$ic$ a,reed 'it$ Ford;s t$eory t$at international trade 'as essential to 'orld peace. In t$e 1-20s Ford also opened plants in !ustralia3 India3
Edsel Ford3 C$arles "ind#er,$3 and 2enry Ford pose in t$e Ford $an,ar durin, "ind#er,$;s !u,ust 1-27 0isit.

24

and France3 and #y 1-2-3 $e $ad success1ul dealers$ips on si9 continents. Ford e9perimented 'it$ a commercial ru##er plantation in t$e !ma4on =un,le called FordlTndia: it 'as one o1 t$e 1e' 1ailures. In 1-2-3 Ford accepted .talin;s in0itation to #uild a model plant ?<<!S3 today /!S@ at /or7y3 a city later renamed <i4$ny <o0,orod3 and $e sent !merican en,ineers and tec$nicians to $elp set it up3 includin, 1uture la#or leader &alter (eut$er. $e tec$nical assistance a,reement #et'een Ford Motor Company3 O.<2 and t$e .o0iet6controlled !mtor, radin, Corporation ?as purc$asin, a,ent@ 'as concluded 1or nine years and si,ned on May 313 1-2-3 #y Ford3 FMC 0ice6president )eter E. Martin3 O. I. Me4$lau73 and t$e president o1 !mtor,3 .aul /. Bron. diplomatic relationsF Ford o1 !ustralia Ford o1 Britain Ford o1 !r,entina Ford o1 Bra4il Ford o1 Canada Ford o1 Europe Ford India Ford .out$ !1rica Ford Me9ico By 1-323 Ford 'as manu1acturin, one t$ird o1 all t$e 'orldUs automo#iles. $e Ford Motor Company 'or7ed to conduct #usiness in any nation '$ere t$e 5nited .tates $ad peace1ul

25

Ford;s ima,e trans1i9ed Europeans3 especially t$e /ermans3 arousin, t$e 81ear o1 some3 t$e in1atuation o1 ot$ers3 and t$e 1ascination amon, all8. /ermans '$o discussed 8Fordism8 o1ten #elie0ed t$at it represented somet$in, Huintessentially !merican. $ey sa' t$e si4e3 tempo3 standardi4ation3 and p$ilosop$y o1 production demonstrated at t$e Ford &or7s as a national ser0iceDan 8!merican t$in,8 t$at represented t$e culture o1 5nited .tates. Bot$ supporters and critics insisted t$at Fordism epitomi4ed !merican capitalist de0elopment3 and t$at t$e auto industry 'as t$e 7ey to understandin, economic and social relations in t$e 5nited .tates. !s one /erman e9plained3 8!utomo#iles $a0e so completely c$an,ed t$e !merican;s mode o1 li1e t$at today one can $ardly ima,ine #ein, 'it$out a car. It is di11icult to remem#er '$at li1e 'as li7e #e1ore Mr. Ford #e,an preac$in, $is doctrine o1 sal0ation8. For many /ermans3 2enry Ford em#odied t$e essence o1 success1ul !mericanism. In My Life and Work3 Ford predicted essentially t$at i1 ,reed3 racism3 and s$ort6si,$tedness could #e o0ercome3 t$en e0entually economic and tec$nolo,ic de0elopment t$rou,$out t$e 'orld 'ould pro,ress to t$e point t$at international trade 'ould no lon,er #e #ased on ?'$at today 'ould #e called@ colonial or neocolonial models and 'ould truly #ene1it all peoples. 2is ideas $ere 'ere 0a,ue3 #ut t$ey 'ere idealistic and t$ey seemed to indicate a #elie1 in t$e in$erent intelli,ence o1 all et$nicities ?'$ic$ some may 1ind some'$at suspect comin, 1rom Ford@.

2%

*. &acin+

Ford maintained an interest in auto racin, 1rom 1-01 to 1-13 and #e,an $is in0ol0ement in t$e sport as #ot$ a #uilder and a dri0er3 later turnin, t$e '$eel o0er to $ired dri0ers. 2e entered stripped6do'n Model s in races3 1inis$in, 1irst ?alt$ou,$ later disHuali1ied@ in an t$e 1-0-3 mile
1st Ford (acer3 2enry Ford and .pider 2u113 1-01.

8ocean6to6 5nited and ?1.% 7m@ speed

ocean8 ?across .tates@ race in settin, a one6 o0al

record at +etroit Fair,rounds in 1-11 'it$ dri0er Fran7 Pulic7. In 1-133 Ford attempted to enter a re'or7ed Model in t$e Indianapolis 500 #ut 'as told rules reHuired t$e addition o1 anot$er 13000 pounds ?450 7,@ to t$e car #e1ore it could Huali1y. Ford dropped out o1 t$e race and soon t$erea1ter dropped out o1 racin, permanently3 citin, dissatis1action 'it$ t$e sport;s rules3 demands on $is time #y t$e #oomin, production o1 t$e Model s3 and $is lo' opinion o1 racin, as a 'ort$'$ile acti0ity.

27

In My Life and Work Ford spea7s ?#rie1ly@ o1 racin, in a rat$er dismissi0e tone3 as somet$in, t$at is not at all a ,ood measure o1 automo#iles in ,eneral. 2e descri#es $imsel1 as someone '$o raced only #ecause in t$e 1*-0s t$rou,$ 1-10s3 one $ad to race #ecause pre0ailin, i,norance $eld t$at racin, 'as t$e 'ay to pro0e t$e 'ort$ o1 an automo#ile. Ford did not a,ree. But $e 'as determined t$at as lon, as t$is 'as t$e de1inition o1 success ?1la'ed t$ou,$ t$e de1inition 'as@3 t$en $is cars 'ould #e t$e #est t$at t$ere 'ere at racin,. $rou,$out t$e #oo7 $e continually returns to ideals suc$ as transportation3 production e11iciency3 a11orda#ility3 relia#ility3 1uel e11iciency3 economic prosperity3 and t$e automation o1 drud,ery in 1armin, and industry3 #ut rarely mentions3 and rat$er #elittles3 t$e idea o1 merely ,oin, 1ast 1rom point ! to point B.

Ford ?standin,@ launc$ed Barney Cld1ield;s career in 1-02

<e0ert$eless3 Ford did ma7e Huite an impact on

auto racin, durin, $is racin, years3 and $e 'as inducted into t$e Motorsports 2all o1 Fame o1 !merica in 1--%.

2*

,. "ater career

&$en Edsel3 president o1 Ford Motor Company3 died o1 cancer in May 1-433 t$e elderly and ailin, 2enry Ford decided to assume t$e presidency. By t$is point in $is li1e3 $e $ad $ad se0eral cardio0ascular e0ents ?0ariously cited as $eart attac7 or stro7e@ and 'as mentally inconsistent3 suspicious3 and ,enerally no lon,er 1it 1or suc$ a =o#. Most o1 t$e directors did not 'ant to see $im as president. But 1or t$e pre0ious 20 years3 t$ou,$ $e $ad lon, #een 'it$out any o11icial e9ecuti0e title3 $e $ad al'ays $ad de 1acto control o0er t$e company: t$e #oard and t$e mana,ement $ad ne0er seriously de1ied $im3 and t$is moment 'as not di11erent. $e directors elected $im3 and $e ser0ed until t$e end o1 t$e 'ar. +urin, t$is period t$e company #e,an to decline3 losin, more t$an $10 million a mont$. $e administration o1 )resident Fran7lin (oose0elt $ad #een considerin, a ,o0ernment ta7eo0er o1 t$e company in order to ensure continued 'ar production3 #ut t$e idea ne0er pro,ressed.

-. (eat#

2-

In ill $ealt$3 $e ceded t$e presidency to $is ,randson 2enry Ford II in .eptem#er 1-45 and 'ent into retirement. 2e died in 1-47 o1 a cere#ral $emorr$a,e at a,e *3 in Fair "ane3 $is +ear#orn estate3 and $e is #uried in t$e Ford Cemetery in +etroit.

10. .ideli+#ts
10.1 Interest in materials science and en+ineerin+
2enry Ford lon, $ad an interest in materials science and en,ineerin,. 2e ent$usiastically descri#ed $is company;s adoption o1 0anadium steel alloys and su#seHuent metallur,ic (E+ 'or7.

30

Ford lon, $ad an interest in plastics de0eloped 1rom a,ricultural products3 especially soy#eans. 2e culti0ated a relations$ip 'it$ /eor,e &as$in,ton Car0er 1or t$is purpose. .oy#ean6#ased plastics 'ere used in Ford automo#iles t$rou,$out t$e 1-30s in plastic parts suc$ as car $orns3 in paint3 etc. $is pro=ect culminated in 1-423 '$en Ford patented an automo#ile made almost entirely o1 plastic3 attac$ed to a tu#ular 'elded 1rame. It 'ei,$ed 30L less t$an a steel car and 'as said to #e a#le to 'it$stand #lo's ten times ,reater t$an could steel. Furt$ermore3 it ran on ,rain alco$ol ?et$anol@ instead o1 ,asoline. $e desi,n ne0er cau,$t on. Ford 'as interested in en,ineered 'oods ?8Better 'ood can #e made t$an is ,ro'n8@ ?at t$is time ply'ood and particle #oard 'ere little more t$an e9perimental ideas@: corn as a 1uel source3 0ia #ot$ corn oil and et$anol: and t$e potential uses o1 cotton. Ford 'as instrumental in de0elopin, c$arcoal #riHuets3 under t$e #rand name 8Pin,s1ord8. 2is #rot$er in la'3 E./. Pin,s1ord3 used 'ood scraps 1rom t$e Ford 1actory to ma7e t$e #riHuets.

10.2 /eor+ia residence and community

Ford maintained a 0acation residence ?7no'n as t$e 8Ford )lantation8@ in (ic$mond 2ill3 /eor,ia. 2e contri#uted su#stantially to t$e community3 #uildin, a c$apel and sc$ool$ouse and employin, numerous local residents.

10.3 'reser0in+ mericana in museums and 0illa+es

31

Ford $ad an interest in 8!mericana.8 In t$e 1-20s3 Ford #e,an 'or7 to turn .ud#ury3 Massac$usetts3 into a t$emed $istorical 0illa,e. 2e mo0ed t$e sc$ool$ouse supposedly re1erred to in t$e nursery r$yme3 Mary $ad a little lam#3 1rom .terlin,3 Massac$usetts3 and purc$ased t$e $istorical &ayside Inn. $is plan ne0er sa' 1ruition3 #ut Ford repeated it 'it$ t$e creation o1 /reen1ield Oilla,e in +ear#orn3 Mic$i,an. It may $a0e inspired t$e creation o1 Cld .tur#rid,e Oilla,e as 'ell. !#out t$e same time3 $e #e,an collectin, materials 1or $is museum3 '$ic$ $ad a t$eme o1 practical tec$nolo,y. It 'as opened in 1-2- as t$e Edison Institute and3 alt$ou,$ ,reatly moderni4ed3 remains open today.

10.! T#e in0ention of t#e automobile

Bot$ 2enry Ford and Parl Ben4 are sometimes o0ersimplistically credited 'it$ t$e in0ention o1 t$e automo#ile3 alt$ou,$ ?as is t$e case 'it$ most in0entions@ t$e reality o1 t$e automo#ile;s de0elopment included many in0entors. !s Ford $imsel1 said3 #y t$e 1*70s3 t$e notion o1 a 8$orseless carria,e 'as a common idea83 and many attempts at steam6po'ered road 0e$icles $ad #een made. &$at t$e 1ollo'in, decades #rou,$t 'as t$e tec$nical success o1 t$e idea3 and t$e e9tension o1 t$e idea #eyond steam po'er to ot$er po'er sources ?electric motors and internal com#ustion en,ines@. Ford 'as3 $o'e0er3 more in1luential t$an any ot$er sin,le person in c$an,in, t$e paradi,m o1 t$e automo#ile 1rom a scarce3 $ea0y3 $and6#uilt toy 1or ric$ people into a li,$t'ei,$t3 relia#le3 a11orda#le3 mass6produced mode o1 transportation 1or t$e masses o1 'or7in, people.

10.5 T#e in0ention of t#e assembly line

32

Bot$ 2enry Ford and (ansom E. Clds are sometimes o0ersimplistically credited 'it$ t$e in0ention o1 t$e assem#ly line3 alt$ou,$ ?as is t$e case 'it$ most in0entions@ t$e reality o1 t$e assem#ly line;s de0elopment included many in0entors. Cne prereHuisite 'as t$e idea o1 interc$an,ea#le parts ?'$ic$ 'as anot$er ,radual tec$nolo,ical de0elopment3 datin, to t$e 1*t$ century3 o1ten mista7enly attri#uted to one indi0idual or anot$er@. Ford;s 1irst mo0in, assem#ly line ?employin, con0eyor #elts@3 a1ter 5 years o1 empirical de0elopment3 1irst #e,an mass production on or around !pril 13 1-13. $e idea 'as tried 1irst on su#assem#lies3 and s$ortly a1ter on t$e entire c$assis. !,ain3 alt$ou,$ it is inaccurate to say t$at 2enry Ford $imsel1 in0ented t$e assem#ly line3 it is accurate to say t$at $is sponsors$ip o1 its de0elopment 'as central to its e9plosi0e success in t$e 20t$ century.

10.) Miscellaneous
Ford 'as t$e 'inner o1 t$e a'ard o1 Car Entrepreneur o1 t$e Century in 1---. 2enry Ford dressed up as .anta Claus and ,a0e slei,$ rides to c$ildren at C$ristmas time on $is estate. 2enry Ford 'as especially 1ond o1 $omas Edison3 and on Edison;s deat$#ed3 $e demanded Edison;s son catc$ $is 1inal #reat$ in a test tu#e. $e test tu#e can still #e 1ound today in 2enry Ford Museum. In 1-233 Ford;s pastor3 and $ead o1 $is sociolo,y department3 Episcopal minister .amuel .. MarHuis3 claimed t$at Ford #elie0ed3 or 8once #elie0ed8 in reincarnation. $ou,$ it is unclear '$et$er or $o' lon, Ford 7ept suc$ a #elie13 t$e San )ran'is'o +,aminer 1rom !u,ust 2%3 1-2*3 pu#lis$ed a Huote '$ic$ descri#ed Ford;s #elie1sF

33

MI adopted t$e t$eory o1 (eincarnation '$en I 'as t'enty si9. (eli,ion o11ered not$in, to t$e point. E0en 'or7 could not ,i0e me complete satis1action. &or7 is 1utile i1 'e cannot utilise t$e e9perience 'e collect in one li1e in t$e ne9t. &$en I disco0ered (eincarnation it 'as as i1 I $ad 1ound a uni0ersal plan I realised t$at t$ere 'as a c$ance to 'or7 out my ideas. ime 'as no lon,er limited. I 'as no lon,er a sla0e to t$e $ands o1 t$e cloc7. /enius is e9perience. .ome seem to t$in7 t$at it is a ,i1t or talent3 #ut it is t$e 1ruit o1 lon, e9perience in many li0es. .ome are older souls t$an ot$ers3 and so t$ey 7no' more. $e disco0ery o1 (eincarnation put my mind at ease. I1 you preser0e a record o1 t$is con0ersation3 'rite it so t$at it puts menUs minds at ease. I 'ould li7e to communicate to ot$ers t$e calmness t$at t$e lon, 0ie' o1 li1e ,i0es to us.N

11. Conclusion

2enry Ford c$an,ed t$e 'orld. $e industrial colossus $e created and t$e a11orda#le cars $e produced3 a11ected society in 'ays t$at most could

34

ne0er $a0e ima,ined. 2e em#odied t$e !merican spirit o1 indi0idualism and 1ree enterprise in a 'ay t$at no one else $ad e0er #e1ore. 2e aimed at t$e economic independence o1 t$e 5nited .tates. 2e 'anted to manu1acture a 0e$icle 1rom scratc$3 'it$out dependin, on 1orei,n trade. 2e #elie0ed in peace. 2e 1ostered t$e concepts o1 ,lo#al e9pansion o1 t$e company and international trade. FordUs 'or7 represented t$e distincti0e !merican nature and culture. FordUs remar7a#le contri#ution to t$e a0iation industry #rou,$t $im an $onor 1rom t$e .mit$sonian Institution 1or t$e Ford 4! $is 0ery success1ul aircra1ts. 2e is re,arded as t$e Fat$er o1 modern !ssem#ly "ines and pioneered t$e use o1 soy#ean made plastics 1or car #odies 1ueled #y et$anol. 2e 'as a'arded t$e Car Entrepreneur o1 t$e Century and 1inds a place in t$e /allupUs "ist o1 &idely !dmired )eople o1 t$e 20t$ Century3 pu#lis$ed in 1---. rimotor 6 one o1

12. &eferences

6 My life and work #y 2enry Ford3 /arden City )u#lis$in, Company 6 $ttpFKK'''.automoti0e$istoryonline.com

35

6 $ttpFKK'''.#utler6#o'don.comKmy6li1e6and6'or7

6 $ttpFKK'''.$1$a.or,K 6 $ttpFKK'''.$1m,0.or,K 6 $ttpFKK'''.rarecarrelics.comKFordV$istoryV2enryVFord.p$p

3%