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2. Henry Ford: The Founder of Ford Motor Company
Henry Ford was an American inventor who is
with inventing the automobile assembly line. German automaker,
Benz, is credited with inventing the first motor
in the late 1880s, but Ford was the
who made it possible for everyday citizens to
one. Before Ford came up with his assembly
process, cars were built one at a time
hand, which was a very costly and inefficient
of production. Ford's assembly line revolutionized the way
were built, and his methods are still in
today.
In 1886, Benz patented his Motorwagen, which
a four-wheel, two-passenger, self-powered motor coach that was
to replace the horse and carriage. These vehicles
expertly crafted, but were available to only the
people of the time. Thanks to Ford, that
changed in 1906. His Ford Motor Company, the
automobile company to use assembly line techniques to
cars. transformed the automobile from an expensive curiosity
a practical tool that could be used to
people and goods easily and efficiently. His first
-produced product was the Model T. It remains one
the most sold vehicles ever, and was the
to reach 15 million sales.
Ford's impact on
20th Century cannot be understated. At one time
was estimated that nine out of 10 vehicles
American roads were Fords. His cars spurred the
economy like no other single factor. The country's
were built in response to the great number
vehicles Ford and subsequenttehran American automakers produced. Additionally,
's vehicles created a network of support industries such
parts, repair, and maintenance services. It also caused
revolution in how goods were transported in the
. Henry Ford was a true American icon.
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