Henry Ford had a grandeur vision.
He planned to build a modern utopia model in America.
Ford also came to realize that he was not only an economic entrepreneur but also a prophet of proper living.
He practiced whatever he preached; an aspect that saw him rise from obscurity to become one of the most famous and powerful men in America.
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The model T was the most famous automobile in America.
Moreover, Ford was a revolutionary individual. He managed to contribute to the development of the modern civil age.
Birth place and Early Life
The story of Henry Ford is a rags to riches tale. He was a child genius who fled an oppressive father to become one of the most successful entrepreneurs the world had ever seen.
He was the eldest son of a caring farm couple. Ford`s parents expected the elder children to work alongside them on the farm.
Ford, however, got to a point where he found the farm work tedious to an extent that he started thinking about the machines that would make farm work easier. His parents indulged him by allowing him to take time off and set up a work station in the kitchen, and at that point he took up the idea of studying every machine he came across.
Adulthood
Ford`s father, William understood that Henry was interested in machines. As a result, when he turned 16, he arranged for his son to stay with an aunt in Detroit and even got a job for him.
In 1879, Henry walked 9 miles to the city from home. This was the beginning of his destiny.
For up to 10 years, he worked in several workshops as a machinist. At 31 years in 1893, he had been elevated to the Chief Engineer at Edison, however, despite his excitement, it was evident that his passion was elsewhere. He quit his Detroit job in 3 years.
Ford`s ambition was to provide greater mobility especially to the lower class of individuals in society. As a result, he sought to create a type of cheap car.
By June 4, 1896, Ford drove the horseless carriage (the Quadra cycle) he had built through the streets of Detroit for the first time, as it attracted large crowds of bystanders. In addition to this, the automobile he had built managed to attract the attention of Detroit`s most elite personnel including the Mayor.
Career as an Inventor and Entrepreneur
Owing to his sheer determination, Ford managed to get investors, however, initially the pressure was mounting owing to many other individuals seeking to mimic his model. His investors, nevertheless, backed out of the plan leading Ford to resolve never to solicit help from the rich people but he would instead manage his own business alone.
He also moved to participate as an automobile racer.
Later on, he managed to initiate his own assembly line as he sought to employ people with an intention to uplift their lives. The work at the factory, nevertheless, involved monotonous and tiring tasks which led many individuals to quit.
Ford initiated as strategy to raise the wages of workers and reduce the hours of labor in a bid to increase production and solve his turnover problem. He held a vision that at one point his workers would be capable of purchasing a model T car.
The strategy was successful despite having been dubbed as foolish by competitors.
Also despite being one of the richest men in the world, Ford maintained a simple life on his farm.
Ford was also eager to improve the living conditions of his workers, and it was mandatory for them to have neat and tidy households, otherwise, they would not be entitled to the new wage increment.
Henry blamed Jews for all problems of the modern world. He called them the scavengers of the world despite condemnation from other leaders. By this time he had gained massive corporate authority.
The stock market crash (great depression) hit hard and affected Ford`s company by declining sales.
Ford, however, enjoyed old time dancing.
As he aged, he became more controlling, lashing out at employees and accusing them of disloyalty. The only man he trusted was Bennett. His actions pushed workers to protest publicly owing to the harsh treatment.
Ford was forced to give in to Union demands for higher pay of workers and more.
In 1945 Ford suffered a major stroke.
On April 7 1947, Henry Ford died in the middle of the night, at 83 years. 2 days later, 100000 people waited patiently to view his body.
He is the man who ushered in the 20 th century, a revolutionary.
