Henry Ford (1863–1947) was a transformative American industrialist best known for founding the Ford Motor Company and revolutionizing manufacturing with the introduction of the moving assembly line.
Key Contributions
- Ford Motor Company: Founded in 1903, it became one of the most successful automobile companies in history.
- Model T: Introduced in 1908, it was the first car affordable to the average American, thanks to Ford’s innovations in mass production.
- Assembly Line: Ford’s use of the moving assembly line drastically reduced production time and costs, reshaping industrial manufacturing worldwide.
- Five-Day Workweek: He pioneered the 40-hour workweek, believing better wages and working conditions would boost productivity and consumerism.
📜 Personal Life
- Born on a farm in Springwells Township, Michigan.
- Married Clara Jane Bryant in 1888; they had one son, Edsel Ford.
- Lifelong friendship with inventor Thomas Edison, who mentored him early in his career.
🌍 Legacy and Controversy
- Ford’s innovations helped transition America from an agrarian society to an industrial powerhouse.
- He was also a controversial figure—his newspaper, The Dearborn Independent, published antisemitic content in the 1920s.
- Upon his death, he left much of his wealth to the Ford Foundation, which remains influential today.
Lesson Learning 