Early Life of Henry Ford

Henry Ford was born on July 30, 1863, in Michigan. He grew up on a farm, but he was more interested in machines than in farming. As a boy, Ford liked to take things apart and put them back together. When he was a teenager, he built his first steam engine. His interest in mechanics led him to work for companies that built machines, including the Edison Illuminating Company.

The Beginning of Ford Motor Company

In 1903, Henry Ford started the Ford Motor Company. He had tried and failed with other car companies before, but this time was different. Ford wanted to make cars that were affordable and reliable for regular people—not just the rich. His first successful car was the Model T, introduced in 1908. It changed the way Americans lived, worked, and traveled.

Innovation and the Assembly Line

One of Ford’s biggest ideas was the moving assembly line. This method let workers stay in one place while the car parts moved down a line. Each worker had one small job, which made the process much faster and cheaper. Because of the assembly line, the Model T became much more affordable. By 1914, Ford was selling hundreds of thousands of cars each year.

Simulated image of an asembly line inside a Fort Motor Company factory

Ford’s Impact on America

Henry Ford didn’t just change cars—he changed American life. His company helped create the modern middle class. In 1914, he shocked the world by paying his workers $5 a day, which was double the average wage. This meant more people could afford the cars they built. Ford also supported a shorter workday and believed in giving workers time to enjoy life. However, some of his views, like his opinions on immigration and Jews, were harmful and criticized.

Legacy of Henry Ford

Henry Ford died in 1947, but his ideas still shape the world today. The Ford Motor Company became one of the most successful car companies in history. His use of the assembly line spread to many other industries. Henry Ford is remembered as a man who helped bring cars into everyday life and helped build the modern world.

Discussion Questions

1. Why was the Model T an important invention?
2. How did the assembly line change how products were made?
3. What were some good and bad things about Henry Ford's leadership?
4. How did Ford’s ideas affect American workers and families?

Glossary

• Assembly line – A way of making products where each worker does one part as the product moves down a line.
• Mechanics – The science of how machines work.
• Model T – The first affordable car made by Henry Ford, introduced in 1908.
• Wage – The money a worker is paid.