Henry Ford Timeline

Henry Ford was born on July 30, 1863, on a farm in Wayne County, Michigan. His parents were William Ford, an Irish immigrant, and Mary Ford, who had e...

After being introduced by a mutual friend in 1885, they quickly became engaged and married.

In 1891, Henry Ford got his first job as an engineer at the Edison Illuminating Company in Detroit. There, he learned about electricity and machines. ...

Henry Ford's son, Edsel Ford, was born on November 6, 1893. He was Henry and Clara Ford's only child.

In 1896, Henry Ford built his first car, called the Quadricycle. It was a small vehicle made of wood and metal, with four wheels and a simple engine. ...

In 1903, Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company. He wanted to make cars that were affordable for everyday people. With a small group of investors, ...

Ford Motor Company becomes increasingly successful, producing cars like the Model A and Model K. The company begins to grow as demand for automobiles ...

The Ford Motor Company introduces the Model T, also known as the "Tin Lizzie." This vehicle is revolutionary because it is affordable, durable, and si...

Ford introduces the moving assembly line at the Highland Park plant in Michigan. This drastically reduces the time needed to build a car, making mass ...

Henry Ford announces the $5 workday, doubling the average wage for workers at the time. This move helps reduce employee turnover, increase productivit...

Henry Ford becomes a well-known public figure, and his ideas on business and labor start to influence industries beyond automobiles.

After nearly 20 years of production, Ford discontinues the Model T. It has sold over 15 million units, but Ford shifts focus to the newer Model A.

Henry Ford establishes the Ford Foundation, a charitable organization that would later become one of the largest and most influential foundations in t...

Ford shifts production to support World War II efforts. His factories are retooled to produce military vehicles, planes, and weapons, playing a key ro...

Henry Ford steps down from active management of Ford Motor Company. His grandson, Henry Ford II, takes over as president, marking a new era for the co...

Henry Ford passes away on April 7, 1947, at the age of 83. His legacy lives on through his revolutionary impact on the automobile industry and the met...