1. Assembly Line Innovation: Ford revolutionized manufacturing with the introduction of the moving assembly line in 1913, drastically reducing the time it took to build a car from over 12 hours to just 2 hours and 30 minutes.
2. $5 Workday: In 1914, Henry Ford shocked the business world by doubling his workers’ pay to $5 a day, more than doubling the average factory wage at the time. This move was intended to reduce turnover and increase productivity.
3. Contributions during global conflict:
During periods of global conflict, Ford manufactured various military vehicles and equipment, including jeeps, tanks, and aircraft engines, contributing significantly to the efforts of allies.
4. Fordlandia: In the late 1920s, Henry Ford attempted to establish a rubber plantation and town in the Amazon rainforest called Fordlandia. Despite significant investment, the project faced numerous challenges and ultimately failed to produce the expected results.
5. Model T: Ford’s Model T, introduced in 1908, became one of the most influential cars in automotive history, popularizing affordable automobile ownership for middle-class Americans.
6. Rouge Complex: Ford’s River Rouge Complex in Michigan, completed in 1928, was the largest integrated factory in the world at the time, incorporating raw materials processing, vehicle assembly, and production of steel components.
7. Electric Vehicle Commitment: Ford has committed to a significant shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), with plans to invest heavily in EV development and production, including models like the Mustang Mach-E and the all-electric F-150 Lightning.
