Early 20th century, the automobile was vastly used by the rich, due to its high pricing and complicated machinery models. Most models required a chauffeur acquainted with the individual model’s mechanics. This sole reason drove Henry Ford’s determination to build a simple, yet reliable and affordable car. In the article “Henry Ford - An Impact Felt” on October of 1908 Henry Ford proclaimed “...I will build a motor car for the great multitude...,” (Steven C. Stanford). To Ford, this meant that an average American worker would be able to afford the automobile, with no need of a chauffeur conversant to its mechanics. Although many believed, that the idea of an Average american, being able to afford and operate an automobile was absurd, Ford was determined to provide for the “...great multitude…”.Out of this determination, Ford developed the Model T, and the assembly line. Two innovations that “...Revolutionized American Society and Modeled the world we live in today…-Charles, E. “...My Forty Years with Ford…” (1956); Development of the Model T, did not stop Ford’s drive to change the automobile world. Many …show more content…
manufacturers in the 2oth century were focused, and content with targeting a market of rich buyers in order to increase their profits, but Henry Ford saw a bigger picture. After producing the Model T, Ford worked tirelessly to develop a design and a method of manufacture, that consistently reduced the cost of the Model T. with this method, Ford was able to decrease the price of his car, which resulted to Ford motors’ earnings steady increase. In turn Ford fulfilled his goal of “...car that the masses can buy…”. Ford’s determination and success with the Model T, not only transformed the automobile from a luxury to the Average American society main use of transportation, but it inspired him to go further to perfect his success. To further his success and steadily decrease the cost of the Model T, ford developed the assembly line. this development increase the efficiency of manufacture and decreased its cost. Prior to ford’s invention of the assembly line, cars were crafted in a slow and expensive procedure, done by skilled workers. When Henry introduced the assembly line automoblie manufaturing changed forever. The assembly line consited of the car going to the worker to perform their designated task of assemble consistently thus, manufacturing a car became more cost efficient and quicker that before. With the introduction and perfection of the process, Ford was able to reduce the assembly time of a Model T from twelve and a half hours to less than six hours. The model T had a tremendous impact on the way people lived their everyday lives, It was considered the top instrument of one of the greatest and most rapid changes in the lives of the everyday American society in less than 20 years.Ford’s Model T affected not only the evryday American society but the farming society also. with the Model T farmers became much connected to the world around them and other farmers, They used ford’s automobile to transport not only members of their family, but products into the market. Soon, model T became so useful directly on the farmland, that it’s usefulness, encouraged ford to produce small tractors called The fordson. These conditions improved so many everyday farm, and life routines, that horse carriages rapidly began to disappear, causing an agricultural revolution, where better farming was introduced. Furthermore, although Model T, was as successful as Ford anticipated, it required an extensive amount of work from those who participated in the assembly line.
As the demand for Ford’s automobile increased, so did the work load of his workers. Therefore, the higher the demand for Model T the higher the demand for workers, but due to the extensive work, workers began to stray away from the assembly line. The article “Henry Ford - An Impact Felt” written by Steven C. Stanford, stated that “...By 1913 daily absences along the line were such that with 13,000 workers toiling...the labor turnover at the Highland Park Plant was an astounding 370%. This meant that for every position in the plant, Ford needed to hire 4 men hoping one would work out and stay in the job...Ford went through more than 52,000 men to keep a workforce of only 14,000 working full
time…” Most of the workers Ford hired to fill the positions in the assembly line, migrated from eastern and southern Europe, which then made language a factor, in the assembly line, this brought by the speculation of slow production of the Model T, automobile. To address the communication issue in the factory the Ford Motor Company established a school, with classrooms right in the factory that employees would attend either before or after their shift. The object of the school was to help the immigrant workers become “Americanized” or “Fordized” if you prefer, while learning to speak English. The classes were mandatory and the method of instruction was by practical example. Instructors would teach English and also provide instruction on all manner of modern industrial age living. The lengthy hours that caused workers to leave, the language barriers, and the speculation of slow production lines, encouraged ford to increase the wages of his workers in 1914. Ford Motor Company announced that it would pay eligible workers a minimum wage of $5 per day, and reduced work hours,with increased shifts per operations.The surplus of money, came from the increasing demand of the Model T, and the lower costs in productions. Ford stated “...this money should go back to his workers, in the hopes that they would be more willing to work under the harsh conditions of the assembly line…” (stanford). Therefore, by paying higher wages, he felt he formed his employees into a new class of buyers. Ford’s communication solution, and raise in wage brought by many work opportunities for so many, but he did not stop there. Soon Ford began what he called “...Vertical Integration…” in which he would control all aspects of his supply chain. To do this Ford purchased railroads, coal mines, built sawmills, purchased glassworkers manufacturer, and experimented with rubber plantations in South America. Ford’s Vertical integration, not only made the Model T, and his assembly line much successful, but it opened up more job opportunities for others. Soon employment was available for “... women, the blind, and physically disabled veterans…” Due to his influx of vast workers, Henry Ford established a series of small village factories. The concept behind this village was to create small production facilities that would be a place that farmers could gain income during off seasoning, through aiding the production of ford automobiles. today this is known as the Village Industries. These Industries became an opportunity for Ford to experiment with various production methods and specialized workforces. Ford, spent most of his life being prideful of his workers. His pride in his workmen degenerated into anti-unionism, due to insistence on complete control, he ruled his vast domain with his bodyguard and close friend Harry Bennett. In Conclusion, Henry Ford had a very large impact on the way the American society lives today. The Henry Ford Heritage Association Left his mark in the everyday lives of working civilians and different automobile companies. The consumer ethic and middle class lifestyle we live today are concepted around the world as the American way of life.That lifestyle has its roots in Henry Ford. His desire to build a product everyone could use and afford resulted in an ever evolving change that is felt around the world. His desire to pay his workers a wage that could do more than sustain their existence brought the middle class into being. His concern for worker’s wellbeing went beyond their pay envelope and that concern helped to define employer and employee relations and benefits That are demonstrated amongst us today. Henry ford’s Model T and assembly life grew into something bigger than he dreamt of, and impacted America, in ways many did not see coming.
Fordism changed American industrial and consumer in many ways such as Henry Ford developed new techniques of car manufacturing and marketing that made it easier for ordinary American citizens to try themselves. After three years of establishing his company “Ford Motor Company” in 1905, Ford introduced to the American people “Model T” for which was a light-weight vehicle that can handle to cruise the country’s poorly maintained roads. In Europe for which the car that is mostly used over there is the “Mercedes” for which was targeted for high-class people of society over there and were superior in craftsmanship in the car manufacturing; however, Ford focused on mass production
This quote illustrates that the Henry Ford made this car big enough so families could unite and travel in it. Before they couldn't travel as much cause it would cost them so this really changed lives. As a result, the Model T improved people's lives by creating this car for families to stay united and be united.
The one thing families could not afford was the car. With the invention of the Model T from Ford, people could manage to buy it, without having to sell their arms and legs. In fact, the sale of the car was so successful, that in order to keep up with demands, he had to create an assembly line. From the time when the model T was made, parking lots, paved roads, and gas stations evolved, creating a major change in the world from what it was before.
The Model T changed the ways of America in an immense way. Ford's Model T revolutionized manufacturing. To help build his Model T more efficiently and with less money he used the assembly line. "By 1914, Ford and his engineers had installed a belt-driven movable production line that took the work to the worker, and then carried that man's work to another worker, and so, until a shining Model T rolled off the line. It was continuous flow production. No one had ever done this before.
He received investments from all over to help form the Henry Ford Company in 1899. Ford’s father was proud to see his son’s name on automobiles, but was frustrated when Ford needed to constantly improve the efficiency. Ford left his namesake company in 1902 for financial reasons. After he left, it changed names to the Cadillac Motor Car Company. Later that year, Ford founded the Ford Motor Company. A month after the company was formed, the Ford Model A was built at the Ford Motor Plant in Detroit. Only a couple of these cars were able to be made every day, so sales were slow. There were only about 2 to 3 workers to assemble these cars. But Ford was motivated to create an efficient and consumer friendly automobile. These innovations resulted in the Ford Model T. The Model T was a great liftoff for Ford and his company, and as a result, he practiced techniques of mass production the would change American Industry, including using large production plants. The mass production technique made it easier for people to assemble cars and the rate of producing these cars were much quicker. It was also a cheaper way to produce automobiles, and in 1914, Ford was able to raise the daily wage to 5 dollars. Production skyrocketed for the Model T and by 1918, half of America had purchased these inexpensive and readily available cars. In 1919, Ford made his son Edsel as the president of the company, but Ford still kept control of the company’s day to day operations. That same year, Ford stopped making the Model T and invented the New and improved Model A , which had better horsepower and brakes, and better overall improvements. By this time, Ford had sold 15 million Model T’s and had opened plants that manufactured the Model
In the early 1900's the automobiles that were built took a long time to complete. The process that was used was very time consuming. Completion took several hours and workers were paid very little. When Ford introduced the assembly line his workers produced an automobile every couple of minutes rather than hours. With the high rate of production he lowered the price of his vehicles. The increased sales meant he paid his employees more per day and offered benefits. A few benefits Ford offered were health insurance, a higher salary than the competition, and even a five-day workweek. With all the extra incentives Ford gave, he still climbed to success. Maybe it was the fact that an automobile could be bought for the low price of only $850.00 rather than the competitions automobiles for $5000.00.
Machines running, hammers dropping, and drills drilling are the sounds of Henry Ford’s revolutionary assembly line. Henry Ford grew up in the late eighteenth century during the industrial revolution. There were no electric lights, only gas lamps and candles. Horses and trains were the only cost effective way of transportation for the public. When Henry Ford was a child, he saw a steam driven car on the road and was mesmerized. At this point, he knew he longed to become a mechanic that works on cars. At the age of sixteen, Henry Ford got a job as an apprentice machinist in Detroit at the Detroit Dry Dock Company. Three years later he returned to work on the family farm, and became adept at operating the Westinghouse portable steam engine. Soon after, he was hired by Westinghouse to service their steam engines, while he was attending college in Detroit. As a concluding point, “Henry liked his work so much that it did not seem like work to him,” work seemed like free time that was never ending (Jonatha 11). Henry Ford had an imagination for machinery and ...
Model T’s were everywhere in America, even long after Ford stopped production in 1927. (Henry) While Ford was the number one brand, selling the most cars throughout the early 1900’s, the Model T created a new industry that is distinctly American; the auto industry. Three manufacturers, Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler dominated the American auto industry, and all three companies still produce cars today. The Model T gave birth to the competitive auto market. To this day, car companies in America are constantly racing to innovate, improve, and outsell their competitors. Manufacturing of cars “became the backbone of a new consumer goods-oriented society. By the mid-1920s it ranked first in value of product, and in 1982 it provided one out of every six jobs in the United States.” (history –idk yet) The demand for cars also resulted in a booming petroleum industry, and a high demand for metals, like steel. ( History idk yet) Furthermore, with so many people driving cars, construction of roads was necessary. The popularity of automobiles set off a chain reaction that created new opportunities all across the country. All sections of the modern automotive industry, from marketing to manufacturing, as well industries like petroleum refining, steel production, and road construction, can trace their beginnings to the Ford Model
Widely seen as the father of the assembly-line, Henry Ford implemented one of the first systems of mass production assembling automobiles. After conducting extensive studies under the leadership of Frederick Winslow Taylor, Ford created the first conveyor-belt based assembly-line in 1913 (“A Science Odyssey”). The creation of such a system of mass production was hugely impactful in terms of the democratization of design and of access to products. Starting in the automobile industry (at least in its first initially-successful form) and permeating through most other manufacturing sectors, the assembly-line revolutionized not only the production process but also the economics of the manufacturing industry in terms of cost optimization and wage-rates
Henry Ford's assembly line in Detroit was the largest one in the country. When Ford first started making cars, the only car he made was a black Model-T. Almost everybody in the United States had a car. Three-out-of-four families owned one or more cars. With the assembly line they made a lot more cars in one day than they did before. Instead of payin...
When Henry Ford was born on June 30th, 1863, neither him nor anyone for that matter, knew what an important role he would take in the future of mankind. Ford saw his first car when he was 12. He and his father where riding into Detroit at the time. At that moment, he knew what he wanted to do with his life: he wanted to make a difference in the automobile industry. Through out his life, he achieved this in an extraordinary way. That is why he will always be remembered in everyone’s heart. Whenever you drive down the road in your car, you can thank all of it to Henry Ford. Through his life he accomplished extraordinary achievements such as going from a poor farm boy to a wealthy inventor who helped Thomas Edison. When he was a young man, he figured out how to use simple inventions, such as the light bulb. He then taught himself the design of a steamboat engine. His goal was to build a horse-less carriage. He had come up with several designs and in 1896, he produced his first car, the Model A. When Ford’s first car came out, he had been interviewed by a reporter and when asked about the history of the car, he had said “History is more or less bunk.” Ford worked in Thomas Edison’s factory for years and the left to become an apprentice for a car-producer in Detroit. While working there, he established how he was going to make the car.
Henry Ford was one of the most important and influential inventors and businessmen in the short history of America. He revolutionized the business world and he changed forever the efficiency of factories around the world. One of the reasons that Henry Ford can be considered such an important man is that his ideas and concepts are still used today. Boron on July 30, in the year of 1863, Henry Ford was the oldest child of the family. His parents, William and Mary Ford, were “prosperous farmers” in his hometown of Dearborn. While they we’re well off for farmers, Ford certainly wasn’t spoiled and fed from silver spoons. Ford was just like any other typical young boy during the rural nineteenth century. From early on there we’re signs that Henry was going to be something more than a farmer. He looked with interest upon the machinery that his father and himself used for their farming, and looked with disdain at the rigorous chores of a farmer. In the year 1879, Henry being a meager 16 years old, he moved to the city of Detroit where he would work as an apprentice machinist. Henry would remain in Detroit working and learning about all varieties of machines. Although he occasionally came back to visit Dearborn, he mostly stayed in Detroit, picking up more and more valuable knowledge. This apprenticeship allowed him to work in the factories of Detroit and learn what a hard working blue-collar job was like. When he did return to Dearborn he was always tearing apart and rebuilding his fathers machines, along with the dreaded farm chores. Henry Ford was a hard worker and that was proven by him getting fired from one of his jobs in Detroit because the older employees we’re mad at him because he was finishing his repairs in a half hour rather than the usual five hours. Clara Bryant would represent the next step in now twenty-five year old Henry Ford’s life. The two lovers we’re married in 1888 and would endure good times as well as bad. In order to support his new wife Henry was forced to work the land as he ran a sawmill that was given to him by his father. His father actually attempted to bribe Henry to stay in the farming business as he gave him the land only under the condition that he would continue on as a farmer.
Ford used Taylor’s scientific management principles and come up with the mass production and assembly line. This benefitted the motor vehicle industry highly. The effects of Taylorism and Fordism in the industrial workplace were strong and between the period of 1919-1929 the output of industries in the U.S doubled as the number of workers decreased. There was an increase in unskilled labour as the skill was removed and placed into machines. It lead to the discouragement of workers ability to bargain on the basis of control over the workplace.
But as years gone by, automobiles became increasingly possible among the overall population because of the freedom it provided. “By the early 1920s, more than 5 million Model T’s had been produced” (Ford 4). As a result of the automobiles becoming popular, it became cheaper and more assessable to the middle class. “From the beginning, Ford decided to manufacture automobiles that could be bought by the average citizen, as cheaply as possible. This was a radical departure in the early automobile industry because most cars were priced higher and aimed at a more well-heeled customer” (Ford 2). Making automobiles more assessable to the middle class was easier to make happen thanks to two important things that Henry Ford did. First, he managed to price his car to be as affordable as possible and second, he paid his workers enough to be able to purchase their own cars (The 4). Henry Ford usually paid his workers around five dollars, which was never done before, in hopes that it would increase their productivity. Luckily by doing this, it helped push sales
As the decade’s fashion and architecture of the day portrayed conformity, the American car represented the country's optimism and enthusiasm in a decade of hopefulness. Car manufacturers looked at conformity as a foreign concept and did everything in their power to excite buyers and bring crowds to their showrooms. The 1950’s American automobile culture has had a long lasting influence on the people of the United States. The American car manufacturing switched from producing war weapons to consumer goods at the end of World War II, and by the end of the 1950’s, one out of every six working Americans were employed by the automotive industry. The United States became the world's largest manufacturer of automobiles, and Henry Ford's goal that any man with a good job should be able to afford an automobile, was achieved. In result, a new generation of service businesses focusing on customers with their automobiles, like drive-through restaurants and movies, were created. Another contemporary entity that was established from the result of the booming automobile industry was the expansion of the National Highway System with Interstate highways. The wider, multi-lane highways allowed traffic to move at faster speeds with few or no stoplights. The automobile industry not only positively influenced people’s perspectives on travel and appealing machinery, it predisposed many other innovations and necessities that we still use in modern