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[[Image:HenryFord.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Henry Ford next to a Model T car.]]

[[Image:HenryFord.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Henry Ford and his Model T ]]

'''Henry Ford''' (1863 – 1947) was the founder of the [[Ford Motor Company]] and of modern mass production and assembly line techniques.  His introduction in 1908 of the [[Model T]] Ford automobile revolutionized transportation and, indeed, American industry.  As sole owner of the Ford Company he became one of the three or four richest and best-known people in the world.  He is credited with "[[Fordism]]," that is, the mass production of large numbers of inexpensive automobiles, coupled with high wages for his workers—notably the $5.00 a day pay scale adopted in 1914. Ford, though poorly educated, had a global vision, with consumerism as the key to peace. His intense commitment to lowering costs resulted in many technical and business innovations, including a franchise system that put a dealership in every city in North America, and in major cities on six continents. Ford left most of his vast wealth to the [[Ford Foundation]], but arranged for his family to permanently control the company after his death.

'''Henry Ford''' (1863 – 1947) was the founder of the [[Ford Motor Company]] and of modern mass production and assembly line techniques.  His introduction in 1908 of the [[Model T]] Ford automobile revolutionized transportation and, indeed, American industry.  As sole owner of the Ford Company he became one of the three or four richest and best-known people in the world.  He is credited with "[[Fordism]]," that is, the mass production of large numbers of inexpensive automobiles, coupled with high wages for his workers—notably the $5.00 a day pay scale adopted in 1914. Fordism promoted the consumer culture based on high income workers who could afford to buy cars at a time when only the rich in Europe owned an automobile.

 

Ford, though poorly educated, had a global vision, with consumerism as the key to peace. His intense commitment to lowering costs resulted in many technical and business innovations, including a franchise system that put a dealership in every city in North America, and in major cities on six continents. Ford left most of his vast wealth to the [[Ford Foundation]], but arranged for his family to permanently control the company after his death.

He was a hero to conservatives for his entrepreneurship and positive impact on society; he opposed the [[New Deal]] but was tarnished by his sponsoring attacks on the Jews in the 1920s.  

He was a hero to conservatives for his entrepreneurship and positive impact on society; he opposed the [[New Deal]] but was tarnished by his sponsoring attacks on the Jews in the 1920s.  

Upon his marriage to Clara Ala Bryant in 1888, Ford supported himself by farming and running a sawmill. They had a single child: [[Edsel Ford]] (1893-1943).

Upon his marriage to Clara Ala Bryant in 1888, Ford supported himself by farming and running a sawmill. They had a single child: [[Edsel Ford]] (1893-1943).

In 1891, Ford became an engineer with the Edison Illuminating Company, and after his promotion to Chief Engineer in 1893, he had enough time and money to devote attention to his personal experiments on gasoline engines. In 1896 he built a self-propelled vehicle named the Quadricycle, and continuously woorked to improve it.<ref> See [http://www.hfmgv.org/exhibits/showroom/1896/quad.html] </ref> At this time Ford gained national fame as a racing car driver, leading to connections with investors who wanted to set him up in business.

In 1891, Ford became an engineer with the Edison Illuminating Company, and after his promotion to Chief Engineer in 1893, he had enough time and money to devote attention to his personal experiments on gasoline engines. In 1896 he built a self-propelled vehicle named the Quadricycle, and continuously worked to improve it.<ref> See [http://www.hfmgv.org/exhibits/showroom/1896/quad.html] </ref> At this time Ford gained national fame as a racing car driver, leading to connections with investors who wanted to set him up in business.

== Ford Motor Company ==

== Ford Motor Company ==

===Death of Edsel Ford===

===Death of Edsel Ford===

In May 1943, Edsel Ford died, leaving thepresidency vacant. Ford put his long-time associate [[Harry Bennett]] in charge. Edsel's widow Eleanor, who had inherited Edsel's voting stock, wanted her son [[Henry Ford II]] to take over the position. The issue was settled for a period when Henry himself, at age 79, took over the presidency personally. Henry Ford II was released from the Navy and became an executive vice president, while Bennett had a seat on the board and was responsible for personnel, labor relations, and public relations.

In May 1943, Edsel Ford died, leaving the presidency vacant. Ford put his long-time associate [[Harry Bennett]] in charge. Edsel's widow Eleanor, who had inherited Edsel's voting stock, wanted her son [[Henry Ford II]] to take over the position. The issue was settled for a period when Henry himself, at age 79, took over the presidency personally. Henry Ford II was released from the Navy and became an executive vice president, while Bennett had a seat on the board and was responsible for personnel, labor relations, and public relations.

=== Ford's labor philosophy ===

=== Ford's labor philosophy ===

In 1915, Jewish pacifist [[Rosika Schwimmer]] worked with Ford, who funded a peace ship to Europe, where World War I was raging, for himself and about 170 other prominent peace leaders. He talked to President [[Woodrow Wilson]] about the trip but had no government support. His group went to neutral Sweden and the Netherlands to meet with peace activists there.  Ford, the target of much ridicule, left the ship as soon as it reached Sweden.

In 1915, Jewish pacifist [[Rosika Schwimmer]] worked with Ford, who funded a peace ship to Europe, where World War I was raging, for himself and about 170 other prominent peace leaders. He talked to President [[Woodrow Wilson]] about the trip but had no government support. His group went to neutral Sweden and the Netherlands to meet with peace activists there.  Ford, the target of much ridicule, left the ship as soon as it reached Sweden.

==Dearborn Independent==  

==Dearborn Independent and Anti-Semitism==  

In 1918, Ford's closest aide and private secretary, Ernest G. Liebold, purchased an obscure weekly newspaper, ''[[The Dearborn Independent]]''. By 1920, it ran numerous antisemitic  articles under Ford's name.  Ford never wrote any of them, but he knew the contents. The ''Independent'' ran for eight years, from 1920 until 1927, during which Liebold was editor. The newspaper published "[[The Protocols of the Elders of Zion|Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion]]," which was discredited as a forgery during the ''Independent'''s publishing run by [[The Times]] of London. The magazine was mostly advertising for cars, but its political tone was anti-immigrant, anti-labor, anti-liquor, and anti-Semitic. <ref> Baldwin (2000)</ref>

In 1918, Ford's closest aide and private secretary, Ernest G. Liebold, purchased an obscure weekly newspaper, ''The Dearborn Independent''. By 1920, it ran numerous antisemitic  articles under Ford's name.  Ford never wrote any of them, but he knew the contents. The ''Independent'' ran for eight years, from 1920 until 1927, during which Liebold was editor. The newspaper published "Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion" which was discredited as a forgery during the ''Independent'''s publishing run by ''The Times'' of London.<ref> Baldwin (2000)</ref>

Denounced by the [[Anti-Defamation League]] (ADL), the articles nevertheless explicitly condemned pogroms and violence against Jews (Volume 4, Chapter 80), preferring to blame incidents of mass violence on the Jews themselves. None of this work was actually written by Ford, who apparently could barely read beyond the fifth grade level.<ref> Asked at the trial to read an editorial Ford refused; he said he only read headlines. He demanded that all business reports be made to him orally at briefings; he never read the accompanying studies.</ref>  Friends and business associates say they warned Ford about the contents of the ''Independent'', and that Ford probably never read them. <ref> Watts pp x, 376-387; Lewis (1976) pp 135-59.</ref> However, court testimony in a libel suit, brought by one of the targets of the newspaper, stated that Ford did indeed know about the contents of the ''Independent'' in advance of publication.  <ref> Baldwin (2000)</ref>  

Denounced by the [[Anti-Defamation League]] (ADL), the articles nevertheless explicitly condemned pogroms and violence against Jews (Volume 4, Chapter 80), preferring to blame incidents of mass violence on the Jews themselves. None of this work was actually written by Ford, who apparently could barely read beyond the fifth grade level.<ref> Asked at the trial to read an editorial Ford refused; he said he only read headlines. He demanded that all business reports be made to him orally at briefings; he never read the accompanying studies.</ref>  Friends and business associates said they warned Ford about the contents of the ''Independent'', and that Ford probably never read them. <ref> Watts pp x, 376-387; Lewis (1976) pp 135-59.</ref> However, court testimony in a libel suit, brought by one of the targets of the newspaper, stated that Ford did indeed know about the contents of the ''Independent'' in advance of publication.  <ref> Baldwin (2000)</ref>  

A libel lawsuit brought by San Francisco lawyer and Jewish farm cooperative organizer [[Aaron Sapiro]] in response to anti-Semitic remarks led Ford to close the ''Independent'' in December 1927. During the trial, the editor of Ford's "Own Page", William Cameron, testified that Ford never wrote or dictated the editorials, even though they were under his byline. Cameron testified at the libel trial that he never discussed the content of the pages or sent them to Ford for his approval.<ref>Lewis, (1976) pp. 140-156; Baldwin p 220-221.</ref>  Everyone agreed, however, that Ford had a general knowledge of the antisemitic thrust and funded their publication.  

A libel lawsuit brought by Jewish farm cooperative organizer Aaron Sapiro in response to anti-Semitic remarks led to a highly publicized trial; Ford closed the ''Independent'' in December 1927 and apologized for attacking the Jewish people. At the trial, William Cameron, the editor of Ford's "Own Page", a regular feature of the magazine, testified that Ford never wrote or dictated the editorials, even though they were under his byline. Cameron testified that he never discussed the content of the pages or sent them to Ford for his approval.<ref>Lewis, (1976) pp. 140-156; Baldwin p 220-221.</ref>  Everyone agreed, however, that Ford had a general knowledge of the anti-semitic thrust and funded their publication.  

:The ADL mobilized prominent Jews and non-Jews to publicly oppose Ford's message. They formed a coalition of Jewish groups for the same purpose, and raised constant objections in the Detroit press. Before leaving his presidency early in 1921, [[Woodrow Wilson]] joined other leading Americans in a statement that rebuked Ford and others for their antisemitic campaign. A boycott against Ford products by Jews also had an impact, and Ford shut down the paper in 1927, recanting his views in a public letter to the ADL.  <ref> Baldwin (2000)</ref>

The ADL mobilized prominent Jews and non-Jews to publicly oppose Ford's message. They formed a coalition of Jewish groups for the same purpose, and raised constant objections in the Detroit press. Before leaving his presidency early in 1921, [[Woodrow Wilson]] joined other leading Americans in a statement that rebuked Ford. A boycott against Ford products by Jews had an impact, and Ford shut down the magazine in 1927, recanting his views in a public letter to the ADL.  <ref> Baldwin (2000)</ref>

Distribution of ''International Jew'' was halted by Ford, but extremist groups often recycle the material; it still appears on [[antisemitic]] and [[neo-Nazi]] websites.

Distribution of ''International Jew'' was halted by Ford, but extremist groups often recycled the text as hate material; copies still appear on anti-semitic and neo-Nazi websites.

 

== Ford's international business==

== Ford's international business==

Ford's philosophy was one of economic independence for the United States. His [[River Rouge Plant]] would become the world's largest industrial complex, even able to produce its own steel.  Ford's goal was to produce a vehicle from scratch without reliance on foreign trade. He believed in the global expansion of his company.  He believed that international trade and cooperation led to international peace, and used the assembly line process and production of the Model T to demonstrate it<ref>Watts 236-40</ref>  He opened Ford assembly plants in Britain and Canada in 1911, and soon became the biggest automotive producer in those countries.  In 1912, Ford cooperated with Agnelli of [[Fiat]] to launch the first Italian automotive assembly plants.  The first plants in Germany were built in the 1920s with the encouragement of [[Herbert Hoover]] and the Commerce department, which agreed with Ford's theory that international trade was essential to world peace.<ref>Wilkins and Hill (1964)</ref>  In the 1920s Ford also opened plants in Australia, India, and France, and by 1929, he had successful dealerships on six continents.  Ford experimented with a commercial rubber plantation in the Amazon jungle called "Fordlândia"; it was one of the few failures.  In 1929, Ford accepted [[Stalin]]'s invitation to build a model plant (NNAZ, today [[GAZ]]) at Gorky, a city later renamed [[Nizhny Novgorod]], and he sent American engineers and technicians to help set it up, including future labor leader [[Walter Reuther]].   

Ford's philosophy was one of economic independence for the United States. His River Rouge Plant was the world's largest industrial complex, even able to produce its own steel.  Ford's goal was to produce a vehicle from scratch without reliance on foreign trade, or New York bankers. He believed in the global expansion of his company.  He believed that international trade and cooperation led to international peace, and used the assembly line process and production of the Model T to demonstrate it<ref>Watts 236-40</ref>  He opened Ford assembly plants in Britain and Canada in 1911, and soon became the biggest automotive producer in those countries.  In 1912, Ford cooperated with Agnelli of [[Fiat]] to launch the first Italian automotive assembly plants.  The first plants in Germany were built in the 1920s with the encouragement of [[Herbert Hoover]] and the Commerce department, which agreed with Ford's theory that international trade was essential to world peace.<ref>Wilkins and Hill (1964)</ref>  In the 1920s Ford also opened plants in Australia, India, and France, and by 1929, he had successful dealerships on six continents.   

The technical assistance agreement between Ford Motor Company, VSNH and the Soviet-controlled American Trading Organization (AMTORG) [http://www.pbs.org/redfiles/kgb/deep/kgb_deep_ref_detail.htm] (as purchasing agent) was concluded for nine years and signed in 1929. The Ford Motor Company worked to conduct business in any nation where the United States had peaceful diplomatic relations:

Ford experimented with a commercial rubber plantation in the Amazon jungle called "Fordlândia"; it was one of the few failures.  In 1929, Ford accepted [[Stalin]]'s invitation to build a model plant (NNAZ, today GAZ) at Gorky, a city later renamed [[Nizhny Novgorod]], and he sent American engineers and technicians to help set it up, including [[Walter Reuther]], who later headed the auto workers union, the [[UAW]]. The Ford Motor Company was eager to conduct business in any nation where the United States had peaceful diplomatic relations:

* Ford of Australia

* Ford of Australia

* Ford of Britain

* Ford of Britain

By 1932, Ford was manufacturing one third of all the world’s automobiles.

By 1932, Ford was manufacturing one third of all the world’s automobiles.

 

Ford's image transfixed Europeans, especially the Germans, arousing the "fear of some, the infatuation of others, and the fascination among all".<ref>Nolan p 31</ref> Germans who discussed "Fordism" often believed that it represented something quintessentially American. They saw the size, tempo, standardization, and philosophy of production demonstrated at the Ford Works as a national service - an "American thing" that represented the culture of United States.  Both supporters and critics insisted that Fordism epitomized American capitalist development, and that the auto industry was the key to understanding economic and social relations in the United States. As one German explained, "Automobiles have so completely changed the American's mode of life that today one can hardly imagine being without a car. It is difficult to remember what life was like before Mr. Ford began preaching his doctrine of salvation"<ref>Nolan, p 31</ref> For many Germans, Henry Ford himself embodied the essence of successful Americanism.

Ford's image transfixed Europeans, especially the Germans, arousing the "fear of some, the infatuation of others, and the fascination among all".<ref>Nolan p 31</ref> Germans who discussed "[[Fordism]]" often believed that it represented something quintessentially American. They saw the size, tempo, standardization, and philosophy of production demonstrated at the Ford factory as a national service - an "American thing" that represented the culture of United States.  Both supporters and critics insisted that Fordism epitomized American capitalist development, and that the auto industry was the key to understanding economic and social relations in the United States. As one German explained, "Automobiles have so completely changed the American's mode of life that today one can hardly imagine being without a car. It is difficult to remember what life was like before Mr. Ford began preaching his doctrine of salvation"<ref>Nolan, p 31</ref> For many Germans, Henry Ford himself embodied the essence of successful Americanism.

== Death ==

== Death ==

Ford suffered an initial heart attack in 1938, after which he turned over the running of his company to Edsel. Edsel's 1943 death brought Henry Ford out of retirement. In ill health and failing memory, he ceded the presidency to his grandson [[Henry Ford II]] in September 1945. He died in 1947 at the age of 83 and is buried in the Ford Cemetery in Detroit.  

Ford suffered an initial heart attack in 1938, after which he turned over the running of his company to Edsel. Edsel's 1943 death brought Henry Ford out of retirement. In ill health and failing memory, he ceded the presidency to his grandson [[Henry Ford II]] in September 1945. He died in 1947 at the age of 83 and is buried in the Ford Cemetery in Detroit.  

Henry Ford did not invent the invention of the [[automobile]]--that was done by German Karl Benz. Ford did not invent the assembly line; that was done by Ransom E. Olds, but Ford perfected it. Ford's team did invent the [[Model T]] automobile. This invention revolutionized the American economy. He mass produced his Model T using the [[assembly line]], making cars affordable to the common person for the first time ever. He also paid his workers very well, which, in the long run, paid off as he was creating his own [[consumers]]. That too was a new idea. Ford claimed 161 U.S. [[patent]]s to his credit.

Henry Ford did not invent the invention of the [[automobile]]--that was done by German Karl Benz. Ford did not invent the assembly line; that was done by Ransom E. Olds, but Ford perfected it. Ford's team did invent the [[Model T]] automobile. This invention revolutionized the American economy. He mass produced his Model T using the [[assembly line]], making cars affordable to the common person for the first time ever. He also paid his workers very well, which, in the long run, paid off as he was creating his own [[consumers]]. That too was a new idea. Ford claimed 161 U.S. [[patent]]s to his credit.

==Sayings==

==Sayings==

Ford hired a team of ghostwriters who wrote endless stories, anecdotes and jokes that were distributed in magazines and pamphlets given away by Ford dealers.  Ford himself could barely read or write at the fourth grade level.

Ford hired a team of ghostwriters who wrote endless stories, anecdotes and jokes that were distributed in magazines and pamphlets given away by Ford dealers.  Ford himself could barely read or write at the fourth grade level.

* Williams, Karel, Colin Haslam and John Williams, "Ford versus `Fordism': The Beginning of Mass Production?" ''Work, Employment & Society'', Vol. 6, No. 4, 517-555 (1992), stress on Ford's flexibility and commitment to continuous improvements

* Williams, Karel, Colin Haslam and John Williams, "Ford versus `Fordism': The Beginning of Mass Production?" ''Work, Employment & Society'', Vol. 6, No. 4, 517-555 (1992), stress on Ford's flexibility and commitment to continuous improvements

===Antisemitism ===

===Anti-Semitism ===

* Baldwin, Neil; ''Henry Ford and the Jews: The Mass Production of Hate''(2000) [http://www.questia.com/read/100722934?title=Henry%20Ford%20and%20the%20Jews%3a%20The%20Mass%20Production%20of%20Hate online edition]

* Baldwin, Neil; ''Henry Ford and the Jews: The Mass Production of Hate''(2000) [http://www.questia.com/read/100722934?title=Henry%20Ford%20and%20the%20Jews%3a%20The%20Mass%20Production%20of%20Hate online edition]

* Foust, James C. "Mass-produced Reform: Henry Ford's Dearborn Independent" ''American Journalism'' 1997 14(3-4): 411-424.  

* Foust, James C. "Mass-produced Reform: Henry Ford's Dearborn Independent" ''American Journalism'' 1997 14(3-4): 411-424.