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Henry Ford is Born
Henry Ford was born on July 30, 1863 in Greenfield Township, Michigan, United States to parents William Ford and Mary Ford. William Ford was an Irish-American businessman and a farmer along with Mary. This event is important because Henry would later become the most influential inventor and would create the assembly line, an efficient way of mass producing goods(Harris, Jacqueline L, p.107) -
Henry Saw a Self-Propelled Engine
In 1875, Henry Ford saw his very first self-propelled steam engine. this would inspire him and he later moved to Detroit to work at the Flower Machine Shop, and become a certified machinist. This event is important because it inspired Henry to become a machinist and he would later invent automobiles based off engines he built after becoming a certified machinist.(Harris, Jacqueline L, p.107) -
Henry Ford Marries Clara Bryant
After nearly 4 years of talking with Clara Bryant and meeting her at parties, Henry Ford married her in 1888. William Ford then gifted to Henry a 40-acre farm for he and Clara to live on.(Harris, Jacqueline L, p.107) -
Henry and Clara move to Detroit
In 1891, Clara and Henry Ford move to Detroit so that Henry can get a job at Edison Illuminating Company. Henry needed a job at Edison Illuminating Company so that he had experience with electricity before he built his first internal-combustion engine.(Harris, Jacqueline L, p.108) -
Edsel Ford is Born
On November 6, 1893 Edsel Ford, son of Henry Ford and Clara Brant was born. His father, Henry Ford, was a wealthy inventor, and his mother, Clara Bryant, managed the estate staff, pursued such interests as gardening and traveled around the world on business trips with Henry. This event is important because Edsel Ford would become the president of Ford Motor Company from 1919 to his death in 1943.(Harris, Jacqueline L, p.108) -
Ford Drives His First Horseless Carriage
At approximately 4:00 A.M., Ford unveiled his very first automobile in his shed behind his home. The "quadricycle" was a light metal frame fitted with four bicycle wheels and powered by a two-cylinder, four-horsepower gasoline engine. And Ford reached a top speed of twenty miles per hour. His quadricycle didn't even have brakes or reverse, and it had a doorbell as a horn. The only faulty thing on it was a spring.(History.com) -
Ford vs. Selden Patent
In 1903, Ford fought a court battle with the ALAM(Association of Licensed Automobile Manufactures) over the Selden Patent. The Selden Patent was a patent regarding the "Road Engine". Under threat of suit, almost all of the manufacturers took out licenses from Selden, or from ALAM, to whom he sold the patent.(“George Who?” Weird & Wonderful Patents - Selden Patent) -
Ford Motor Company is Born
On June 15, 1903 The Ford Motor Company, founded by Henry Ford, was officially created. Its founder was Henry Ford and he was the head of the company from 1903 to 1919 when his son Edsel Ford took over. Later on in 1943, Edsel died and control of the company went to Henry Ford II. This is important because Ford Motor Company revolutionized the way cars were built/assembled and he made it possible for the middle class of America to afford cars.(Harris, Jacqueline L, p.108) -
Ford Sets New Land Speed Record
Because Ford was relegated to display space in the basement of the New York automobile show, he drove his racer, the Arrow, as a publicity gimmick and became the first person in the world to drive over 90 mph. This event is important because Henry Ford set a new land speed record.(Richards, Kenneth G) -
Ford Introduces the Model T
In 1908 Ford Motor Company unveiled the Model T, nicknamed the "Tin Lizzie," and was a car purpose built so that the middle class could afford cars. It was produced from 1908 to 1927. Over 15 million were produced and prices went from $850.00 to less than $300.00.(Harris, Jacqueline L, p.108) -
Ford Won His Fight Against the Selden Patent.
IN 1911, Just a year before the Selden Patent expired, Ford finally won his case against George Selden for the right to manufacture, or sell automobiles. This event is important because that Ford could continue to produce automobiles without the fear of being prosecuted.(www.autonews.com) -
Henry Ford Attempts to End World War I
ON December 4, 1915 Henry Ford, 63 Pacifists, 54 Reporters, and "Four Chicago Babies," departed form Hoboken, N.J. and sailed to Europe on the SS Oscar II, or the "Peace Ship" in order to try to make peace between Germany and England, unfortunately, while sailing, Ford caught pneumonia and upon arriving in Europe, was advised to go home. And so he set sail back to America.(Harris, Jacqueline L, p.109) -
Ford Supported the U.S. War Effort
Ford supported the U.S. war effort by converting his plants to manufacture ambulances, helmets, airplane motors, and other war material. This is important because Henry Ford was helping the United States of America win World War 1, or "The War to End All Wars."(Harris, Jacqueline L, p.109) -
Ford's workers go on strike
A strike of Ford workers brought agreement from Ford to permit workers to hold an election for selecting representatives, and to negotiate a union contract.(Harris, Jacqueline L, p.110) -
Ford Supports the U.S. War Effort...Again (cont.)
(Harris, Jacqueline L, p.110) -
Ford Supports the U.S. War Effort...Again
When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Ford was inspired to begin an all-out manufacturing effort. Just west of Dearborn, Ford had a plant built to start producing B-24 Liberator Bombers on an assembly line that was an astonishing 1 mile long. The very first B-24 rolled off of the assembly line in May 1942. Planes were built at a rate of about one plane per hour. By the end of the war, Ford had built 86,865 complete aircraft, 57,851 airplane engines, superchargers, and 4,291 military gliders. -
Henry Ford Dies
Henry Ford died April 7, 1947 at his home in Dearborn, Michigan. His cause of death was an Intracerebral Hemorrhage( when a blood vessel in the brain bursts and causes internal bleeding). He was 83 at the time. His son, Edsel Ford had died 4 years before Henry.(Harris, Jacqueline L, p.110)
