Henry Ford
Early Life
Henry Ford was born on July 30, 1863, on a prosperous farm in Greenfield Township, near Detroit. He was the first of William and Mary Ford's six children. From an early age, Ford showed an interest in mechanical things and a dislike for farm work.
Education and Early Career
Ford's education began at the one-room Scotch Settlement Schoolhouse in Greenfield Township. At home, he was taught by his mother. He left home in 1879 to work as an apprentice machinist in Detroit, first with James F. Flower & Bros., and later with the Detroit Dry Dock Co. In 1882, he returned to Dearborn to work on the family farm and became adept at operating the Westinghouse portable steam engine. He was later hired by Westinghouse to service their steam engines.
Ford Motor Company
In 1903, Ford established the Ford Motor Co.. The company's first car, the Ford Model A, was introduced the same year. In 1908, the company introduced the Ford Model T, which was designed to be an automobile for the average American. The Model T revolutionized the automotive industry by providing an affordable, reliable, and efficient vehicle. The success of the Model T and its subsequent models made Ford one of the richest and best-known people in the world.
Assembly Line Production
Ford introduced the moving assembly line in 1913, a production method that dramatically increased the speed at which automobiles could be produced and lowered their cost. This innovation revolutionized industrial production and had a significant impact on the industry and on American society. The assembly line production method was adopted by other industries and is still in use today.
Later Life and Death
In his later years, Ford turned the company over to his grandson, Henry Ford II. He died on April 7, 1947, at the age of 83, near his Dearborn estate, Fair Lane.
Legacy
Ford's innovations, particularly the assembly line production and the Model T, have had a profound impact on the world. His inventions have revolutionized transportation and American industry. As owner of the Ford Motor Company, he became one of the richest and best-known people in the world. Today, Ford is frequently credited with helping to build America's economy during the nation's vulnerable early years and is considered one of America's leading businessmen.