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⁾

Ford's Model T was famously available in any color as long as it was black, due to the faster drying time of black paint.³¹⁾

He believed in the importance of vertical integration, owning rubber plantations, iron mines, and glass factories to supply his automotive production.³²⁾

Ford was a pioneer in employee benefits, offering profit-sharing, medical care, and pensions to his workers.³³⁾

He was a close friend of Thomas Edison, the inventor of the electric light bulb, and their friendship greatly influenced Ford's views on technology and innovation.³⁴⁾

Ford's introduction of the assembly line not only revolutionized car manufacturing but also influenced other industries, such as electronics and household appliances.³⁵⁾

He was an early advocate for conservation, promoting the use of renewable resources and sustainable farming practices.³⁶⁾

Ford was known for his frugality, often wearing the same clothes and driving modest cars despite his immense wealth.³⁷⁾

He was deeply interested in history and published several books on the subject, including “The International Jew,” which espoused anti-Semitic views.³⁸⁾

Ford's son, Edsel Ford, played a crucial role in the development of many of Ford Motor Company's most successful models, including the Lincoln Continental.³⁹⁾

Ford's Highland Park Plant in Michigan was the first manufacturing facility to implement a continuous moving assembly line for automobile production.⁴⁰⁾

He was a staunch opponent of labor unions and clashed with workers' rights activists throughout his career.⁴¹⁾

Ford's Model T was so popular that at one point, it represented over half of all cars on the road in the United States.⁴²⁾

He was an early investor in radio technology and established the Ford Radio Company in 1922.⁴³⁾

Ford's contributions to American industry and innovation earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1946.⁴⁴⁾

Despite his flaws and controversies, Henry Ford's impact on the modern world is undeniable, shaping not only the automotive industry but also broader aspects of society and culture.⁴⁵⁾