Ford did not invent the car, he was not even the first to put it on the assembly line – but the third. Random Oldsmobile was the first to make cars on an assembly line. Ford succeeded mainly because the Dodge brothers helped him redesign his third car and lent him credit… and built most of it for him. Car was invented in France by a guy named Cugnot – who made a large variety of self-powered, steering, braking machines with three, four, and six wheels, as tractor-trailer and single “car-like” units. Most people incorrectly give Daimler credit because he fitted the existing car with an internal combustion engine.
One reason Ford advertised the $5 a day wage was so he could attract foreign workers. The working conditions were so bad that people wouldn’t stay.Ford had goon squad guards who regularly beat up workers for any rule infraction.To get more production the speed of the assembly line would be increased. And woe unto him who couldn’t keep up.Besides, it was widely believed, because of Henry Ford’s anti-semitism, that he aided Hitler in the early days.Ford wrote quite a bit of anti-semitic literature. Some was reportedly found in Hitler’s bunker.He considered closing his factories permanantly rather than let them be unionised. Parts suppliers had to furnish parts in plywood containers to exact Ford specifications. Ford made floor boards out of them, bragging that he got them for free.When I first joined the UAW, we still had members who had worked in the auto industry in Michigan during the 1930s.As davert said, the reason the Model A was such a success was that most of it was designed and built by the Dodge Brothers.
Actually Skyler is right, sort of. .Ford did not invent the automobile or the assembly line ((Eli Whitney invented the assembly line as we know it today). He did however, establish the “auto dealership” concept and with that the idea that you could “pay on time” thus “car payments.”
Daniel J. over 8 years ago
Slave wages?
stairsteppublishing over 8 years ago
Henry doubled wages. Competitors were furious.
Dkram over 8 years ago
The assembly line and the 40 hr week..\\//_
Linguist over 8 years ago
Ford had a “Better Idea”. It’s too bad that his heirs and the corporate cravens didn’t follow through with it.
davez over 8 years ago
Ford did not invent the car, he was not even the first to put it on the assembly line – but the third. Random Oldsmobile was the first to make cars on an assembly line. Ford succeeded mainly because the Dodge brothers helped him redesign his third car and lent him credit… and built most of it for him. Car was invented in France by a guy named Cugnot – who made a large variety of self-powered, steering, braking machines with three, four, and six wheels, as tractor-trailer and single “car-like” units. Most people incorrectly give Daimler credit because he fitted the existing car with an internal combustion engine.
Jonni over 8 years ago
I believe she was curvaceous, good enough headlights and was for everyone, a model to a T!
cubswin2016 over 8 years ago
The letter T?
Old Texan75 over 8 years ago
One reason Ford advertised the $5 a day wage was so he could attract foreign workers. The working conditions were so bad that people wouldn’t stay.Ford had goon squad guards who regularly beat up workers for any rule infraction.To get more production the speed of the assembly line would be increased. And woe unto him who couldn’t keep up.Besides, it was widely believed, because of Henry Ford’s anti-semitism, that he aided Hitler in the early days.Ford wrote quite a bit of anti-semitic literature. Some was reportedly found in Hitler’s bunker.He considered closing his factories permanantly rather than let them be unionised. Parts suppliers had to furnish parts in plywood containers to exact Ford specifications. Ford made floor boards out of them, bragging that he got them for free.When I first joined the UAW, we still had members who had worked in the auto industry in Michigan during the 1930s.As davert said, the reason the Model A was such a success was that most of it was designed and built by the Dodge Brothers.
neverenoughgold over 8 years ago
It’s like the story of the one that got away…
Every time the story is told, the myth gets bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger…
Thomas & Tifffany Connolly over 8 years ago
Lousy working conditions!
wiatr over 8 years ago
Hey, I was right! but too late to be first.
berk799 over 8 years ago
Actually Skyler is right, sort of. .Ford did not invent the automobile or the assembly line ((Eli Whitney invented the assembly line as we know it today). He did however, establish the “auto dealership” concept and with that the idea that you could “pay on time” thus “car payments.”