Henry Ford

Henry Ford

Henry Ford (July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947) was an American industrialist born in Greenfield Township, Michigan, U.S. and he is the founder of the Ford Motor Company, and sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production.

Quadricycle

The Ford Quadricycle was the first vehicle invented by Henry Ford. Ford's first car was a simple frame with an ethanol-powered engine with four bicycle wheels.This Quadricycle was driven by a chain is a two cylinder engine with 4 HP. The transmission had only two gears (first for 10 mph (16 km/h), 2nd for 20 mph (32 km/h)) but Ford couldn't change into second gear because of absence of torque and did not have a reverse gear. It has a 3 US gal fuel tank under the seat.Ford test drove it on June 4, 1896, after test drives, achieving a top speed of 20 mph.

 Ford Model T

Ford achieved real success after forming the Ford Motor Company in 1903. Ford introduced the famous Model T in 1908, which was a success. He improved the assembly line process to reduce the costs of car manufacture. Around 1913, he introduced the first conveyor belt based assembly line in his Highland Park, Michigan plant. This system drastically reduced generation costs by reducing assembly time. His popular Model T was gathered in an insignificant ninety-three minutes and turn into one of the world's wealthiest men. He was a pioneer of "welfare capitalism" and amazed the world in 1914 by offering a $5 per day wage ($120 today), which more than doubled the rate of most of his workers.

Reference :  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Ford
                  :  http://www.thehenryford.org/exhibits/hf/