Henry Ford

Henry Ford (1863-1947), was the leading manufacturer of American automobiles in the early 1900's. He established the Ford Motor Company, which revolutionized the automobile industry with its assembly line method of production. The savings from this technique helped Ford sell automobiles at a lower price than anyone had before. From 1908 to 1927, more than half the cars sold in the United States were Fords.

In 1903, Ford organized the Ford Motor Company. At first, the company produced only expensive cars, as its competitors did. But Ford soon began working to make a simple car for ordinary people. He achieved one of the first such cars with the Model T, which appeared in 1908. In 1909, Ford decided to produce only Model Ts.

The original price of $850 for a model "T" touring car was too high for many customers. To lower the price, Ford and his executives created an assembly line method in which conveyor belts brought automobile parts to workers. This system helped reduce the assembly time of a Ford automobile from about 12.5 worker-hours in 1912 to about 1.5 worker-hours in 1914.

The Ford Motor Company began to produce its own parts instead of buying from independent suppliers at a higher price. Ford also shipped automobile parts, to market areas, where the parts were assembled.

Parts cost less to ship than whole automobiles did. In addition, the company began to make its own glass and steel.

The company's production costs fell, Ford passed much of the savings on to his customers. The price of a Model T touring car dropped to $550 in 1913, $440 in 1915, $290 in 1924, putting the automobile within reach of the average family.

In 1914, Ford raised the minimum wages to $5 a day for his employees 22 years of age and over. This rate was more than twice what most wages earners received. Ford also reduced the workday from 9 to 8 hours and encouraged productivity.

During the mid-1920's, Ford continued to produce the Model T even though its popularity had declined. He also continued to offer only basic transportation at a low cost. The Model T changed little from year to year, and until 1926 it came only one colour, black.

Text 7

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