Childhood and youth
The future industrialist was born on July 30, 1863 on his father's farm near the town of Dearborn (Michigan). Parents William Ford and Marie Lithogot immigrated to America from Ireland. The boy was raised with three brothers and two sisters.
Businessman Henry Ford
Father and mother worked hard on the farm and were considered wealthy people. But Henry was sure that when running a household there was much more work than the fruits of labor, so he did not seek to continue the work of his parents.
The boy was educated only at a church school and did not even learn to write without errors. When Ford became the head of the company, he could not draw up a contract correctly. A newspaper once called the industrialist “ignorant,” causing Ford to sue the publication. But the inventor was sure that the most important thing for a person is not literacy, but the ability to think.
Henry Ford as a child
At the age of 12, Henry lost his mother, and this event shocked the boy. At the same age, the future entrepreneur saw a locomobile for the first time. Ford was delighted with the carriage moving under the influence of the motor, and decided in the future to assemble the moving mechanism himself. But his father wanted Henry to become a farmer, so he was critical of the child’s interest in mechanics.
At the age of 16, Ford went to Detroit and became an apprentice in a machine shop. Four years later, Henry returned to the farm, where he worked around the house during the day and invented inventions at night. To make his father's daily work easier, Ford created a thresher that ran on gasoline. Given the demand for such equipment, a buyer was soon found. Henry sold the patent for the invention to Thomas Edison, and then got a job in the company of this famous entrepreneur.
Model line for Russian Ford buyers
A fairly large number of cars from the world famous manufacturer Ford are represented in Russia. Many people are interested in this brand, because they can often find the necessary parameters and combinations of necessary qualities. For example, the price-quality ratio in these cars turns out to be optimal for every buyer.
The company also offers modern car design, good materials and excellent build quality. Considering the high performance of the equipment, it is difficult to find an alternative to cars from the American brand. The lineup is represented by the following cars:
- The Ford Focus is one of the best-selling cars in Europe, the leader of the C-Class, which was recently updated and is now in its third generation;
- Ford Mondeo is a large executive sedan that is expected to be updated this year, but even in its old version it is very interesting for the buyer;
- Ford S-Max is a fairly large family minivan with a premium appearance and good technology;
- Ford Galaxy is practically a copy of the previous minivan with certain additions in configuration and design;
- Ford EcoSport is a new compact crossover with great potential compared to its main competitors and rivals in the market;
- Ford Fuga is a compact urban SUV that did not receive the planned sales due to its too high cost;
- Ford Edge is a large crossover that can take on off-road challenges and provide driver and passengers with incredible comfort;
- Ford Explorer is the largest SUV presented by the company in the Russian model line;
- Ford Ranger is a small pickup truck designed for lovers of practical and productive equipment for little money.
As you can see, everyone can choose from the model range presented by the company. The line includes offers for both the father of a large family and the student. Both a businessman and a manager of a large enterprise will find an excellent car. Even if you need a universal vehicle for various operating conditions, you can find the right car.
The Ford company approaches the issue of pricing quite carefully, offering Russian buyers excellent opportunities to purchase the vehicles they need. There are no pretentious cars with excessively high prices in the Ford line. This is precisely why the offer of the American corporation is valuable.
Business
In 1891, Ford returned to Detroit to become a mechanical engineer for Thomas Edison. Henry held this position until 1899, but in his free time he continued to work on creating a machine. Ford didn't just do what he loved, but lived with the idea of creating an affordable car. In 1893, Henry managed to achieve a result - he designed his first car.
Henry Ford and Thomas Edison
The management of the Edison company did not support the employee’s hobbies and recommended abandoning incredible undertakings. Instead, in 1899, the future industrialist left his job and became one of the owners of the Detroit Automobile Company. But even here the guy did not stay long and three years later he left the company due to differences in views with the other co-owners.
At this time, the young entrepreneur’s invention was not in great demand. To attract the attention of customers, Ford drove around the city in his car. At the same time, Henry was often ridiculed and called "obsessed" from Begley Street. But the guy was not afraid of failure and despised the fear of losing. In 1902, Ford participated in auto racing and managed to beat the reigning US champion. The inventor's task was to advertise the car and demonstrate its advantages, and the guy achieved the desired result.
Young Henry Ford
In 1903, the aspiring businessman created and began producing Ford A cars. The inventor wanted to provide customers with a universal machine that would be reliable and economical. Gradually, Ford made the design of the car much simpler and standardized various mechanisms and parts. The inventor was the first to use a conveyor to produce cars, which was a real innovation. A talented businessman achieved a breakthrough in the automotive industry and took a leading position in this industry.
Henry Ford was not afraid of difficulties and fought even with the most powerful opponent. When Ford Motor clashed with the automakers' syndicate, the young entrepreneur fought back. Back in 1879, George Selden received a patent for a car design, but did not implement it. When other companies began producing cars, the inventor began to go to court. After the first won case, a number of companies bought licenses from him and created an association of car manufacturers.
Henry Ford car
The trial against Ford began in 1903 and lasted until 1911. The industrialist refused to buy a license and promised protection to his clients. In 1909, Ford lost the case, but after a retrial, the court ruled that all automakers acted within the law and did not violate Selden's patent rights, since they used a different engine design. As a result, the association of automakers collapsed, and Ford gained fame as a fighter for the interests of customers.
Success came to the talented inventor in 1908 with the start of production of the Ford-T. Ford's brainchild was distinguished by its simple finish, affordable price and practicality. Even Ernest Hemingway chose this car, converted into an ambulance.
Henry Ford's Model T
Sales grew quickly, because Ford cars were of high quality, but inexpensive. At the same time, the cost of the Ford T fell over the years: if in 1909 the price of a car was $850, then in 1913 it dropped to $550.
Construction by Henry Ford dates back to 1910. Three years later, an assembly line began to be used here. First the generator was assembled, and then the engine. The assembly of each engine involved several dozen workers who performed individual operations and thereby reduced production time. A moving platform was also used, as a result of which the chassis was manufactured in half the time. Such experiments affected many aspects of the production process, increasing its productivity and efficiency.
Conveyor at the Henry Ford plant
Gradually, the industrialist purchased mines, coal mines and opened new factories. This is how Ford achieved a full production cycle: from ore mining to the production of finished cars. As a result, the businessman created an entire empire that was independent of other companies and foreign trade. In 1914, Ford produced 10 million cars, or 10% of all cars in the world.
Henry Ford sought to improve working conditions in factories. Since 1914, workers' wages increased to $5 a day. But in order to receive such money, employees were obliged to spend it wisely. If the earnings were spent on drinking, then the employee was fired.
The enterprises established a work schedule of three shifts of 8 hours each, instead of two shifts of 9 hours each. The entrepreneur also introduced one day off and paid leave. Although workers were required to maintain strict discipline, good conditions attracted thousands of people, and Ford did not lack personnel. However, until 1941, there was a ban on trade unions at the factories of the American industrialist.
Henry Ford Plant
In the early 20s, Ford sold more cars than all its competitors combined. Of the ten cars sold in the United States, seven were produced by Ford. During this period, the industrialist began to be called the “car king.”
Since 1917, the United States has participated in the war as part of the Entente. Then Henry Ford's factories began fulfilling military orders and produced helmets, gas masks, submarines and tanks. But the entrepreneur emphasized that he did not want to make money from the bloodshed and promised to return the profits to the treasury. Ford's patriotic impulse was warmly greeted by his compatriots, which raised the authority of the industrialist.
Henry Ford tank Ford-M1918
After the war, the talented inventor faced a new problem - falling sales of the Ford T. Ford Motor's assortment was limited, and the buyer wanted variety. Ford's statement that he could offer a car in any color, as long as it was black, was true, but no longer met the needs of the market. The entrepreneur relied on accessibility, selling cars on credit, but she offered a variety of models and pulled ahead.
Sales were plummeting, and by 1927 Ford was facing bankruptcy. Then the inventor stopped the production process and began creating a new car. Ford was also helped by his son, who participated in the development of the car's design. In the same year, the industrialist presented the Ford A model, which was distinguished by its spectacular appearance and improved technical characteristics. These innovations returned Ford to its leadership position in the automobile market.
Henry Ford's 1927 Model A Ford
Back in 1925, the entrepreneur decided to create an airline, which was called Ford Airways. Ford then acquired William Stout's company and began producing airliners. Subsequently, the Ford Trimotor was especially popular. This passenger aircraft was in serial production during the years 1927-1933. 199 copies were produced and were in service until 1989.
In the 1920s, Henry Ford maintained economic relations with the USSR. The first Soviet mass-produced tractor, the Fordson-Putilovets, presented in 1923, was created on the basis of the Fordson tractor. During 1929-1932, Ford Motor employees contributed to the construction and reconstruction of factories in Moscow and Gorky.
Henry Ford's Ford Trimotor airplane
In the early years of the Great Depression, the Ford company confidently stayed afloat, but in 1931 the crisis affected Ford Motor. Falling sales and increased competition forced Ford to close some factories again and cut wages for remaining workers. The indignant crowd began to break through to the building, the police dispersed the people only with the help of weapons.
Once again, Ford found a way out of a difficult situation thanks to a new invention. The industrialist presented the Ford V 8, a sports car whose speed reached 130 km/h. The new product allowed the company to resume full operation and increase sales volumes.
20th century
At first, the company produced only a few cars per day at its Mack Avenue plant in Detroit. Teams of several people worked on each vehicle, assembling it from parts manufactured by supplier companies. Over the course of a decade, the company came to realize the concept of an assembly line and began to independently produce components.
Ford made the safety package standard back in the mid-fifties. Innovations such as a safety steering wheel, front and, for the first time in a car, rear seat belts were used. Later, the company used light alarms in its cars to warn of unfastened seat belts. Since the 1980s, Ford has introduced several highly successful vehicles around the world. Over the next twenty years, Ford continued to sell a large number of its products.
Ford traditionally has assembly plants all over the world, except for the USA: Canada, Mexico, China, Great Britain and many others. Ford also has a cooperation agreement with the Russian company GAZ. Ford Europe has made breakthroughs with a number of relatively futuristic cars over the past 50 years. These included four generations of the Escort model, and the Focus that replaced it.
The cutting-edge aerodynamic design of the Ford Sierra (1982) was very popular and sold well. The model underwent several external changes and was replaced by the front-wheel drive Mondeo in early 1993.
Political views and anti-Semitism
There are several pages in the biography of Henry Ford that caused condemnation among his contemporaries. So, back in 1918, the inventor bought the publication “The Dearborn Independent” and two years later began to spread anti-Semitic ideas. In 1920, a number of publications on this topic were combined in one book, “International Jewry.” Subsequently, Ford's ideas and publications were actively used by the Nazis to influence the younger generation.
Henry Ford
In 1921, 119 prominent US citizens, including three presidents, denounced the inventor’s views. In 1927, Ford admitted his mistakes and published a letter of apology to the media.
The entrepreneur maintained contact with the NSDAP and even provided financial support to the Nazis. Hitler admired Ford and kept a portrait of the inventor in his Munich residence. In the book "My Struggle" only one American is mentioned - Henry Ford. In the Nazi-occupied city of Poissy (France), a Henry Ford plant operated since 1940, producing cars and aircraft engines.
How the model range changed as the company developed
Today the concern produces more than 70 car models. Let's look at the main models of the Ford Motor Company car lineup.
After falling sales of the Model T, Ford closed all production for six months, carrying out the necessary reconstruction to switch to the new Ford A model (prototype of the Soviet Pobeda), which has more advanced characteristics. Safety glass appeared on this car for the first time.
1929 Model A
Again ahead of the competition, Ford was the first to begin producing station wagon models in 1929.
Meanwhile, competitors have mastered the production of V-6 engines. The company's shareholders proposed starting production of their analogues, but Ford insisted on developing a more advanced engine. So in April 1932, a new V-shaped 8-cylinder engine installed on the Model B was presented to the public. The engine was called flathead - translated as “flat-headed”. It was quite compact, worked quietly and, thanks to the small number of parts, was very reliable and easy to maintain. Only a few years later competitors were able to organize the production of cars with an engine of this type.
1932 Model B
When America began hostilities, all the company's efforts were aimed at producing military products. The concern produced bombers, aircraft engines, tanks, anti-tank guns, trucks and jeeps, and other military equipment.
In September 1945, 82-year-old Henry Ford resigned as head of the corporation and handed over the business to his grandson. Two years later, on April 7, 1947, he dies on his estate. At that time, his fortune was $199 billion, taking into account inflation.
Fairlane
In 1948, the first Ford F-Series of a series of full-size pickup trucks was released. The car has become the most popular pickup truck and one of the best-selling in the world. More than 34 million copies of this series have been sold.
1948 F-100
In the 60s, Ford, following the sports and youth trend that reigned in America, switched to producing inexpensive sports cars. In 1964, one of the company's best cars appeared - the Mustang, which received the name of the famous American aircraft P-51. Equipped with a new engine and featuring a bright and stylish design, the car was a great success. After 1.5 years, a million copies were sold. It is still a cult car.
First generation Mustang. Read all about Ford Mustang on the website pro-mustang.ru
Following the Mustang, production of the Ford Transit commercial vehicle began. Since 1965, more than 6 million cars have been sold across seven generations.
In 1968, production of the FordEscort, one of Ford's successful passenger models, began. Over 35 years of production, almost 20 million units were sold.
Escort 1968-1973
1976 was marked by the release of the B-class model - FordFiesta. It is still produced successfully in many countries around the world. Its circulation is more than 13 million units in 6 generations.
Since 1998, the FordFocus, a popular sedan, began to be produced. Today the model is already in its third generation. More than 9.2 million cars sold. The car is popular in Russia, where it has been assembled since 1999. In 2010, Focus was the best-selling foreign car in our country.
1998 Focus
Personal life
In 1887, Henry Ford married Clara Bryant, the daughter of a simple farmer. The “Car King” lived amicably and happily with Clara. The wife became a reliable support for the talented inventor. Bryant believed in her husband when the townspeople laughed at him and criticized his colleagues. Ford once said in an interview that he would only want to live another life if he could marry Clara again.
Henry Ford and his wife
The couple had only one son, Edsel (1893-1943), who later became his father's main assistant. Disputes often arose between Henry Ford and Edsel, but this did not interfere with their friendly relations and teamwork. The father was a teetotaler, loved country dancing and watching birds fly, and the son preferred modern art, jazz, noisy parties and cocktails.
Henry Ford's first car
Henry Ford's first car was a gasoline-powered sidecar, which he called the Model A.
Stroller - the car was two or four seater, with the ability to cover the top. The speed of this car was 72 kilometers per hour. This car was replaced by the Model C in 1904. The Model C was a little bigger and better looking.
The Model N was released in 1906 and was considered an inexpensive car. Based on the Model N car, another inexpensive car was released, the Model R. The Model S of the same inexpensive series was released in 1907. The N series (inexpensive) cars were produced only until the end of 1907.
Death
The "King of the Car" managed Ford Motor until the 1930s, after which he handed over control to Edsel. The reason for the businessman’s resignation from managing the company was conflicts with partners and trade union organizations. Ford's son had served as acting president since 1919, so he fully coped with his new powers. After the death of his son in 1943 from stomach cancer, the old industrialist again headed the automobile empire.
But Ford’s advanced years did not allow him to manage the company at the proper level, and therefore two years later he ceded the reins to his grandson, Henry Ford II. The outstanding inventor died on April 7, 1947 from a cerebral hemorrhage. At that time, Ford was 83 years old.
The “Car King” managed to realize his childhood dream, leaving behind one of the largest automobile companies in the world. At the same time, the main task of the industrialist was not to earn money, but to improve people’s lives through his favorite hobby - inventing and producing cars.
Henry Ford left behind an autobiography, “My Life, My Achievements,” in which he colorfully described the methods of organizing work at the enterprise. The ideas presented in this book were adopted by many companies, and quotes from the inventor’s statements remain relevant today.
Back in 1928, the businessman received the Elliott Cresson Medal for achievements in the automotive industry. Many books and films are devoted to the history of Ford's life and achievements. Thus, in 1987, a film by Allan Is was released in Canada, telling about the inventor as one of the symbols of America.
Let's sum it up
Considering the rather difficult state of the Russian automobile market in 2020, some new products planned for this period were cancelled. Therefore, today the company’s model line has remained the same and has not introduced new achievements of the corporation. Nevertheless, the cars currently on sale are worthy of the attention of the Russian buyer.
The corporation's model line includes many amazing car options suitable for any occasion. Which of the presented Ford models do you like the most, and which car would you like to see in your own garage?
The history of Ford is not only the history of the American, but also the entire world automotive industry. It was the Ford company that first began to produce mass-produced cheap cars. It is the fourth largest in the world in terms of production volume in history. Now it is the third in the USA and the second in Europe.
The company's annual turnover exceeds $150 billion. The value of assets is $208 billion. The corporation has 62 factories and a network of retail outlets located in 30 countries. They employ over 200 thousand employees. We invite you to take a brief look at the history of Ford.
Quotes
- “If you have passion, you can accomplish anything. Enthusiasm is the basis of any progress."
- “When it seems like the whole world is against you, remember that the plane takes off against the wind!”
- “My secret to success is the ability to understand the other person’s point of view and look at things from both his and my points of view.”
- “Quality is doing something right, even when no one is looking.”
- “If you require someone to devote their time and energy to a business, then make sure that they do not experience financial difficulties.”
- “Only two incentives force people to work: the thirst for wages and the fear of losing it”
Model "T"
In 1908, he created another one - the “T” model, with a more beautiful name “Tin Lizzie” and with an inexpensive price. It was “Tin Lizzie” that became the basis of success. The merit of the new model was so great that Ford had to expand the enterprise, but this did not help either.
There were a lot of orders, and the company could not cope. During the year the Tin Lizzie company operated, more than 10,660 cars were sold. This became a record in automobile production of those years. The production of Lisi's model pushed him closer to his dream.
