Tin Lizzies (Library of Congress)
Did you hear the story of the guy who built a bike, won a race, and used $28,000 to build one of the oldest and most successful automobile companies in the world?
You should, especially when it's Michigan's very own Henry Ford and his Ford Motor Company that we're talking about. Below are a few highlights from NPR's detailed timeline of Ford's history.
June 16, 1903: Henry Ford and 11 investors sign articles of incorporation for Ford Motor Company in Michigan.
Oct. 1, 1908: Ford introduces the Model T, which became one of the most popular cars in the world. Production officially ended in May 1927 after total world production of 15,458,781.
Jan. 5, 1914: Ford begins offering $5 per day for eight-hour work days and 15,000 job seekers clamor for 3,000 jobs at the Model T Plant in Highland Park. The previous pay rate was $2.34 per day for nine hours.
March 1, 1941: Ford begins to produce general-purpose "jeeps" for the U.S. military and shifts completely to military production starting in Feb. 1942. Civilian production does not resume until July 1945.
This effort was a big part of what led President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to call Detroit the Arsenal of Democracy in one of his famous Fireside Chats.
Ten-Million-to-One (Library of Congress)
Since WWII, Ford Motor Company has seen many ups and many downs. Regardless of the current economic climate of the auto industry, the Blue Oval is a proud part of Michigan and its history. You can view the 100th Anniversary Presentation available on Ford's website. A trip Southeast Michigan wouldn't be complete without a tour of the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, a lasting memorial to Henry Ford and his deep love of history. While you're there you can take part in the Ford Rouge Factory Tour or walk through the halls of the great Henry Ford Estate - Fair Lane, now a national historic landmark. All of these can be found in the town that Ford made, and still continues to make famous, Dearborn and are a big part of the Motor Cities National Heritage Area.
Since we offered a video in our previous Michigan Automotive History feature, we definitely need to point out the 1953 classic, The American Road on Google Video. (sorry, can't embed it!)
6 Comments
I love this site because my dad works at ford in deerborn michigan
I love this site
I create great design for a cofort car with my two ideas any car did like it before.im in 20 years old love design cars.
who wrote this site i need it for a project i am doing please get back to me before tuesday april 11
I wrote it! Feel free to use what you can.
My grandfather worke for Ford Motor Co. In Michigan during ww2 I am trying to find out if the company made anti-aircraft guns for the US during this time period. He made a replaca of one that fires .22 cal. bullets and i am trying to find if he was with Ford or Hudson at the time of ww2.
Post a Comment