Ford is credited with the invention of the assembly line and mass production, the first generally available automobile and by extension, middleclass America.  Ford grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, and at the age of 16 moved to Detroit where he worked as a machinist apprentice.  From there, Ford worked for Edison Illuminating Company where he got more experience with mechanized parts.  Ford’s first attempt at automobile manufacturing was the Detroit Automobile Company.  He was able to publicly demonstrate the superiority of his designs, but his company went bankrupt none the less.  Ford’s second company, the Henry Ford Motor Company was more successful, but after difficulties Ford was pushed out by investors.  This company would go on to be the Ford competitor Cadillac.  It was Ford’s last try; the Ford Motor Company, founded in 1903, caught America’s attention.  In 1908, the Model T was first released to the public, and by 1918 half of all cars on the road were Model T’s.

*posted July 26 - Aug 1, 2005