Henry Ford was born on this day, July 30, 159 years ago. As you may have already guessed from his surname alone, he is the founder of Ford Motor Company. Aside from that, he is also best known as for his assembly line methods for mass production.
To celebrate Henry Ford's birth anniversary, here are some facts and trivia that you might not know about the business magnate and industrialist:
Henry Ford Constructed His First Steam Engine at the Age of 15
According to this biography found on the Ford website, Henry Ford showed an interest in mechanics at a very young age. "By the time he was 12, he was spending most of his spare time in a small machine shop he had equipped himself," the website states.
It was also in that same shop that he was able to construct his first steam engine at just 15 years old.
An article by History narrates that by the time Ford turned 16, he made the decision to head to Detroit, where he was able to find apprentice work as a mechanist. He did not return home until three years later.
He Completed the Quadricycle in 1896
While working as an engineer for the Edison Illuminating Company, Ford wanted to build a horseless carriage powered by gasoline.
By 1896, he was able to complete what he called the Quadricycle, which "consisted of a light metal frame fitted with four bicycle wheels and powered by a two-cylinder, four-horsepower gasoline engine," according to History.
He eventually sold the Quadricycle so that he could build other automobiles.
He Designed Several Race Cars After Selling the Quadricycle
According to the Ford website, Henry Ford designed and built a race car called Sweepstakes, which he used to beat Alexander Winton in Michigan in 1901.
He also designed and built a race car called 999, which went on to set a record for the mile. The 999 covered the distance in just 39.4 seconds in 1904.
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Ford Motor Company is NOT His First Namesake Company
Ford Motor Company is actually not the first company that was named after Henry Ford. Neither is it the first automotive company that he owned.
He first organized the Detroit Automotive Company but that eventually went bankrupt less than two years later. After that the company's bankruptcy, Ford founded the Henry Ford Company. He would end up leaving the company, which would rename itself to Cadillac Motor Car Company after his departure.
It was not until 1903 when he founded Ford Motor Company after he and 12 other investors invested $28,000 to start it. Ford owned 25.5% of the stock and he went on to become president as well as controlling owner three years after the company was founded.
He and His Family Only Became the Only Owners of the Company in 1919
Henry Ford, his wife Clara, and his son Edsel became the sole owners of Ford Motor Company in 1919. This was after the family "acquired the interest of all minority stockholders for $105,820,894," according to the Ford website.
That same year, his son succeeded him as president of the company. Edsel Ford held that position until his death. Henry Ford became president once more when his son died.
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