Henry Ford was born on July 30, 1863, on a farm in Greenfield Township, Michigan.¹⁾

He was the oldest of six children born to William Ford and Mary Litogot Ford.²⁾

Ford showed an early interest in mechanics, often dismantling and reassembling watches and other small machines as a child.³⁾

At the age of 16, Ford left home to work as an apprentice machinist in Detroit.⁴⁾

Ford's first major success came with the establishment of the Ford Motor Company on June 16, 1903.⁵⁾

The Model T, introduced in 1908, revolutionized transportation by making cars affordable to the average American.⁶⁾

Ford's introduction of the moving assembly line in 1913 dramatically increased efficiency and reduced production costs.⁷⁾

He implemented a $5 daily wage for his workers in 1914, doubling the prevailing wage at the time, to reduce turnover and increase productivity.⁸⁾

Ford's concept of “Fordism” emphasized mass production, standardization, and efficiency, influencing manufacturing practices worldwide.⁹⁾

In 1915, Ford founded Fordson, a subsidiary to produce tractors, which became highly successful.¹⁰⁾

Henry Ford was an advocate for peace and opposed World War I, even funding a peace ship, the SS Oscar II, to try to end the conflict.¹¹⁾

He had a strong interest in aviation and established the Ford Airplane Company in 1925, producing the Ford Trimotor, nicknamed the “Tin Goose.”¹²⁾

Ford was an early proponent of soybeans as a versatile agricultural product, using them in manufacturing plastics, paints, and even car parts.¹³⁾

Ford was a prolific inventor, holding over 160 patents, including ones for improvements to the assembly line and automobile design.¹⁴⁾

He purchased a large tract of land in the Amazon rainforest in 1927, intending to create a rubber plantation, but the project ultimately failed.¹⁵⁾

Ford was an avid collector of Americana, amassing a significant collection of historical artifacts, including the chair Abraham Lincoln was sitting in when he was assassinated.¹⁶⁾

Ford was known for his anti-Semitic views and writings, which have been a subject of controversy and criticism.¹⁷⁾

Despite his controversial beliefs, Ford's impact on modern industry and transportation cannot be overstated.¹⁸⁾

He was one of the wealthiest individuals of his time, amassing a fortune through his automotive ventures.¹⁹⁾

Ford's innovative approach to business management and manufacturing processes earned him widespread recognition as an industrial pioneer.²⁰⁾

Ford's introduction of the 8-hour workday and weekend off for his employees set a standard that many other companies would eventually adopt.²¹⁾

He was an early supporter of vocational education, establishing the Edison Institute (now known as The Henry Ford) in Dearborn, Michigan, in 1929.²²⁾

Ford's interest in technology extended to agriculture, where he experimented with various farming methods and machinery.²³⁾

He served as a role model for generations of entrepreneurs and business leaders, inspiring them to innovate and challenge conventional wisdom.²⁴⁾

Ford's philanthropic efforts included funding research in medicine, education, and social welfare.²⁵⁾

He was awarded the Grand Cross of the German Eagle by Nazi Germany in 1938, a controversial decision given his anti-Semitic views.²⁶⁾

Ford was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1946 for his contributions to the automotive industry.²⁷⁾

He died on April 7, 1947, at the age of 83, at his estate in Dearborn, Michigan.²⁸⁾

Ford's legacy lives on through the continued success of the Ford Motor Company, which remains one of the largest automakers in the world.²⁹⁾

His grandson, Henry Ford II, played a significant role in expanding the company's global presence during his tenure as CEO.³⁰⁾