Henry Ford

By: Nick Cornelius

Henry Ford’s Life

• He was born on July 30, 1863

• His parents were William and Mary, and was born in Greenfield Township

• He married Clara Ala Bryant in 1888, and had one son, Edsel Bryant

Overview

• He is one of the most important and influential businessmen ever

• He strived to give his works a fair wage, good working conditions, and a state-of-the-art facility

• He invented the assembly line, the V-8 engine, and the Model T

Early Career

• His first job was as an engineer at the Edison Illumination Company

• He joined the company in 1891

• He was promoted to Chief Engineer in 1893

• With this promotion, he began experimenting with the gas-powered internal combustion engine.

Ford in his Quadricycle

Early Accomplishment

• He successfully test drove his new Quadricycle on June 4th, 1896

• It was a very crude and simple machine, that only had a 2 person capacity

The Quadricycle

First Major Steps

• When he was introduced to Thomas Edison, he was encouraged to create a second automobile

• Then in 1898, he quit the Edison Illumination Co. and joined the Detroit Motor Company, on August 5th, 1899

Work

• He created a 26 horsepower racer with the Detroit Motor Company

• He eventually left and founded the Ford Motor Company, soon after the Detroit Motor Company became Cadillac Motors

Ford Motor Company

• The Ford Motor Company was one of the most influential companies in America

• He raised his companies’ minimum wage to 5 dollars an hour, and cut the time in the average work day and work week

Ford Motor Company

• His alterations to the company reduced worker turnover, which was a major issue with the company

• He produced the Model T in 1908• The price on the Model T dropped every year,

until the release of the Model A

Ford’s death

• He died in September 1947 from a cerebral hemmoragge

• Presidency of the company was transferred to his grandson, Henry Ford II

Works Cited

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Ford