Henry Ford example essay topic
456 words
Henry Ford was born on July 30, 1863, near a farm in Dearborn, Michigan. He was best known for his great achievements in the automotive industry. He was first educated in district schools. Then he became a mechanist, inventor, and an author. In 1903, Ford started the Ford Motor Company. From 1908-1927 more half the cars sold and bought in the United States were Fords. At first, he produced expensive cars, like many other companies at the time. After many trial and error experiments, he developed his first automobile, the Quadricycle in 1896. Then, Ford produced the Model T. The original price for the Model T was a very high price of $825.
To produce more of the Model T, at a cheaper cost, Ford created the assembly line method. This method used conveyor belts to bring parts to workers. Workers each had a different task in the production of a car. The time to produce a car went from 12 1/2 hours to 1 1/2 hour with the assembly line. After the creation of assembly line, the price of the Model T dropped dramatically to a price of $290 in 1924. General Motors Corporation (GM), one of Ford's major competitors, offered a large selection of models loaded with luxuries.
Ford continued to offer, only basic transportation to its costumers. The Model T changed from year to year. In 1914, it only came in the color black. In the mid-1920's, the popularity of the Model T decreased. After 15 million Model Ts had been sold, Ford introduced the Model A in 1927. It was the first, low priced car with a V-8 engine.
Many people began to question Ford's management skills. Ford Motor continued to decline throughout the mid-1930's. Henry Ford II, one of Ford's grandsons, took over the company in 1945. In 1918, the year the war ended, Ford ran as a democrat for the senate seat from Michigan. He lost he election and did not seek public office again, but still continued to speak out on political issues. Ford devoted much of his time and money to charitable works.
He established Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum, both located in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford and his son, Edsel established the Ford foundation, one of the world's largest foundations, gave grants for education, research, and development. Ford wrote four books with Samuel Crowther. They are: My Life and Work (1922), Today and Tomorrow (1926), Edison as I Knew Him (1930), and Moving Forward (1931).
Ford died on April 7, 1947 at the age of 84.
