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Henry Ford is Born
Henry Ford, son of William and Mary Ford, was Born on July 30, 1863 in a small town near Dearborn, Michigan. There, he grew up on a farm but at the age of 16 he left the farm for Detroit. Ford's birth is significant because he went on to become one of the biggest industrialists of the 1900s and created many things relevant even today (Biography.com Editors 1) -
Standard Oil is Founded
Created in 1870 was quick to rise and become the best oil company at the time. By 1880 by eliminating competitors and merging with other companies, it controlled 90% to 95% of all oil produced in the United States. In 1892 the company was ordered to split by the Ohio Supreme court but it wasn't until 1931 when the name was no longer used. What makes it significant is that it was split into Exxon and Mobil Oil Corporations which now are combined and are leaders in producing oil. (Standard Oil 1). -
Works at Edison Illuminating Company
Henry was hired by Edison in 1891 as an engineer. He quickly rose through the ranks at the company and in only two years was promoted to chief engineer. What made this event so significant was Ford left his farm and could focus on his love for engineering. while working for Edison was when Ford built his first car (History.Com Staff 1). -
Built the Quadricycle
On June 4, 1896 Henry finished building his first car. The car was only 500 pounds one of the lightest of early American vehicles. the car was mounted on bicycle wheels and had no reverse gear (Byers 5). The car could also only support only one person and drive around the block. after working on it for a couple more weeks he was able to travel with his wife and there son for miles (Harris 4-7). -
Forms the Detroit Automobile Company
On August 5, 1899 Ford formed the Detroit Automobile Company with the help from other investors who he gained the attention of from the building of his quadricycle (Life of Henry Ford 1). His partners in the company grew impatient and frustrated with Ford's constant need to be better, so in 1902 for left the company. What makes this significant is that this company later became Cadillac Motor Car Company which cars are still produced and used today (History.com Staff 1). -
US Steel is Founded
Founded in 1901, US Steel was a combination of Carnegie's US Steel which was bought by J.P. Morgan for $492 Million, and adding National Steel, National Tube, American Steel and Wire, American Steel Hoop, American Sheet Steel and American Tinplate. This company was now the United States' largest producer of steel and made Carnegie the richest man of the world for a few years. What makes this significant today is that US Steel is still the United States' largest producer of steel (US Steel 1). -
Henry Ford Wins Ten Mile Race
On October 10,1901 Ford entered a race against a well known racer named Winton at Grosse Pointe racetrack. Ford ended up beating Winton and gained a bunch of publicity which attracted investors such as Alexander Malcomson to help him build his car company. The significance of the publicity he got was that it helped him gain investors who helped him build Ford Motor Company (Harris 20-21). -
Starts Ford Motor Company
The company started on June 16 1903 and issued 1000 shares of stock at $100 each. 28,000 of the 100,000 represented was cash and Malcomson's uncle, John Gray, invested $10,500. John Gray was Actually elected president of the company (Richards 36). Ford wanted the company to make cars for the masses, because other cars were only for the rich. The Company was a huge success and in 1907 profits passed $1,100,000 (Byers 5-6). -
First Plane Flew
On December 17, 1903 the first plane flew which was built by the Wright Brothers. Orville Wright piloted the gasoline-powered, propeller-driven biplane for 12 seconds and 120 feet. In 1905 the plane could stay in the air for 39 minutes and by 1908 they traveled to France to show off the plane. What makes the building of the plane so important is because it led to what we have now. Airplanes are used everyday and are a great way to travel a far distance in little time (First Airplane Flies 1). -
Ford Creates the Assembly Line
The assembly line was created in 1913 and was a method of mass production. Ford wanted to make one type of car, the Model T, and he wanted to make them in the masses. when he created the assembly line it cut cost by a lot and was very efficient. In four years he was producing 40,000 cars a year. Also because it cost less to produce Ford paid his workers $5 a day which was a lot back then. What makes the assembly line so significant is that many companies still use it today (Byers 5-6). -
Ottoman Empire Falls
The Ottoman Empire lasted for 600 years until its fall in 1922. At the height of the empire it stretched all the way from southeastern Europe to present day Algeria. What makes this significant is that the Ottoman Empire had been ruling vast areas of land for centuries and is now present day turkey (Yapp 1). -
Model A Replaces Model T
On May 26, 1927 Ford announces that they will be producing a new type of car, the Model A. This is announced the same day the 15th million Model T is produced. The project is a big one: almost 75% of all existing tools need to be rebuilt or changed to fit the new model. Sixty thousand workers are fired. In the end, it would cost nearly $250 million before the first Model A is produced on October 21 (The Life of Henry Ford). -
Great Depression
The Great Depression began with the stock market crash on October 24, 1929. The crash sent Wall Street into panic and millions of investors were wiped out. Also almost half of Americas banks failed and 13-15 million people lost their jobs. What makes this event so significant is that it was the worst the economy ever was and millions were and debt, starving and had no jobs (The Great Depression 1). -
World War II
World War II began on September 3, 1939 when Great Britain and France declare war on Germany and ended on May 8, 1945. 40-50 million people died during the span of the war. What made the war significant was that it was the bloodiest and largest war in history of the world and it effected all countries involved (Royde-Smith 1). -
Henry's Son Edsel Dies at 49
Henry's son died at the age of 49 on May 26, 1943. This was Henry's only child and he had to see him die at a very young age from an incurable stomach cancer. Because of his death Henry had to become the president of the company again. Two years later Ford has a stroke and makes Edsel's oldest son president of the company but he sells it six weeks later for a fraction of the cost (Life of Henry Ford 1). -
Henry Ford Dies
Henry Ford died on April 7, 1947 at the age of 83. He is now considered as one of Americas leading Industrialists for all the things he did for America. What makes his death so significant is that he accomplished so much in life. Ford help America in many ways like creating his car company and creating mass production or the assembly line(Biography.com Editors 1).
