Of the 1920s The History of The Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company The Ford Motor Company was incorporated in 1903 with Henry Ford as vice-president and chief engineer. The Ford Motor Company was incorporated in 1903 with Henry Ford as vice-president and chief engineer. The infant company produced only a few cars a day at the Ford factory on Mack Avenue in Detroit. Groups of two or three men worked on each car from components made to order by other companies. The infant company produced only a few cars a day at the Ford factory on Mack Avenue in Detroit. Groups of two or three men worked on each car from components made to order by other companies. Henry Ford realized his dream of producing an automobile that was reasonably priced, reliable, and efficient with the introduction of the Model T in Henry Ford realized his dream of producing an automobile that was reasonably priced, reliable, and efficient with the introduction of the Model T in In 1910 the company opened a large factory at Highland Park, Michigan. In 1910 the company opened a large factory at Highland Park, Michigan. By 1918, half of all cars in America were Model Ts. By 1918, half of all cars in America were Model Ts.

Ford Factory Henry Ford was able to sell cars cheaply because they were mass-produced and standardized. Henry Ford was able to sell cars cheaply because they were mass-produced and standardized. Car-making used up 20% of Americas steel, 80% of of her rubber, 75 % of her plate glass, and 65% of her leather. Car-making used up 20% of Americas steel, 80% of of her rubber, 75 % of her plate glass, and 65% of her leather.

The Model T As Henry Ford said You can paint it any color you like, as long as it is black. As Henry Ford said You can paint it any color you like, as long as it is black. The early Model Ts actually did come in a variety of colors, but beginning in 1914 and for the next eleven years, the Model T would be sold in only one color: black. The early Model Ts actually did come in a variety of colors, but beginning in 1914 and for the next eleven years, the Model T would be sold in only one color: black. The reason for this was the black enamel used dried more quickly than other paints and sped up production. The reason for this was the black enamel used dried more quickly than other paints and sped up production. Consumers were not offered a choice of colors again until 1926, due in part to slumping sales. Consumers were not offered a choice of colors again until 1926, due in part to slumping sales. Were all BLACK Were all BLACK

They called it the car for Everyman They called it the car for Everyman Henry Ford himself called it a car for the great multitude Henry Ford himself called it a car for the great multitude It was functional and simple like your sewing machine or cast-iron stove. It was functional and simple like your sewing machine or cast-iron stove. You could learn to drive it in less than a day… You could learn to drive it in less than a day… And you could paint it any color, so long as it was black. And you could paint it any color, so long as it was black. When Ford first conceived the Model T it took 13 hours to assemble. When Ford first conceived the Model T it took 13 hours to assemble. Within 5 years he was turning out a vehicle every 90 seconds. Within 5 years he was turning out a vehicle every 90 seconds. And of course, the real invention wasnt the car… it was the assembly line that built it. And of course, the real invention wasnt the car… it was the assembly line that built it.

Credits Graphics Arthur Chan and Owen Kang With Special Thanks to Mr. Letters & audience Handouts Arthur Chan Executive Producer Arthur Chan ©2004 AOG