Print this page Henry Ford: Triumph of an Idea
J.M. Syken
Course Outline
Through the viewing of several archival/documentary films produced in the 1930s/40s/50s/60s, we will examine the life of Henry Ford – father of the modern industrial age, and the company he founded: Ford Motor Company (FMC).
We will examine the early background of Henry Ford as an inventor and the events that led to the production of the Model T – the first mass produced automobile in the United States. We will examine the consequences of an affordable car for the masses (i.e. suburban development) and the role played by FMC in the further development of the car, truck, military, farm vehicles/equipment etc. We will also examine the contributions of FMC to the war effort/s in both world wars.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Understand/appreciate the background/early rural life of Henry Ford and how his mechanical abilities led him to construct his first car: the Quadracycle;
- Understand/appreciate the significance/importance of the assembly line and standardization of parts in the mass production of the Model T;
- Understand/appreciate how established a $5/day wage for an eight-hour work day attracted workers to FMC from all over the world and influenced industrial labor relations;
- Understand/appreciate the role FMC played in producing engines, tanks, ships, vehicles etc. in support of the war effort/s in both world wars;
- Understand/appreciate the reasoning behind the introduction of the Edsel medium-priced model line in the late 1950s and what went wrong; and
- Understand/appreciate how experimental prototypes vehicles led to the introduction/development of the Mustang in 1964.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for architects, engineers and other design professionals.
Benefit to Attendees
The attendee/s will gain an intimate knowledge and insight into the background, history, development, innovations, etc. of the Ford Motor Company.
Course Introduction
The course incorporates the viewing of several archival/documentary films broken down as follows;
- Part 1 – Henry Ford’s America
- Part 2 – The Car for Everyone
- Part 3 – At the Fair
- Part 4 – River Rouge: City of Work
- Part 5 – Ford Goes to War
- Part 6 – Trucks and Tractors
- Part 7 – Good Car, Bad Timing
- Part 8 – Pony Car
Part 1 examines the life and background of Henry Ford and the contributions made by FMC during WWI. Part 2 examines the mass production of the Model T and its success at making the motor car affordable to the average American. Part 3 examines the Ford exhibit at the Century of Progress exposition held in Chicago in 1933/34. Part 4 examines the operations/organization of the River Rouge plant. Part 5 examines the Scout reconnaissance car produced by FMC during WWII. Part 5 examines the contribution to the national economy of FMC trucks and tractors. Part 6 examines the introduction of the Edsel model line and Part 8 examines the introduction of the Mustang in 1964 (based on experimental prototypes).
Course Content
Part 1 – Henry Ford’s America;
TITLE: Henry Ford’s Mirror of America – Part 1(1962)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/HenryFor1962
DURATION: 17:14
TITLE: Henry Ford’s Mirror of America – Part 2(1962)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/HenryFor1962_2
DURATION: 18:56
Part 2 – The Car for Everyone;
TITLE: Ford Model T – World’s Most Famous Car
LINK: http://archive.org/details/Cardatavideo-FordModelTWorldsMostFamousCar152
DURATION: 05:16
Part 3 – At the Fair;
TITLE: Ford and a Century of Progress (ca.1934)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/gov.archives.arc.93418
DURATION: 08:02
Part 4 – River Rouge: City of Work;
TITLE: Harvest of the Years (ca.1937)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/HarvestOfThe
DURATION: 22:07
Part 5 – Ford Goes to War;
TITLE: Ford Reconnaissance Cars Join the Army (ca.1941)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/gov.archives.arc.93627
DURATION: 07:54
Part 6 – Trucks and Tractors;
TITLE: While the City Sleeps (ca.1940)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/gov.archives.arc.93632
DURATION: 09:58
TITLE: The New Ford Tractor (1953)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/6039_New_Ford_Tractor_The_01_01_04_00
DURATION: 23:30
TITLE: The Quiet Revolution (1956)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/QuietRev1956
DURATION: 09:08
Part 7 – Good Car, Bad Timing;
TITLE: History of the Edsel – In Short
LINK: http://archive.org/details/HistoryOfTheEdsel-InShort
DURATION: 04:54
TITLE: The Edsel Story (1957)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/TheEdelStory
DURATION: 29:15
Part 8 – Pony Car;
TITLE: Styling and the Experimental Car (ca. 1964)
LINK: http://archive.org/details/styling_and_the_experimental_car
DURATION: 16:35
Course Summary
Henry Ford was a controversial figure in his time, both admired and despised by many. His introduction of the forty-hour work week was seen as an example of enlightened capitalism, but his motives were pragmatic since it allowed for three eight-hour, round-the-clock shifts. His $5/day pay rate was also revolutionary and attracted workers from far and wide, but he resisted bitterly efforts of his workers to unionize. However, it was the first large scale use of a production assembly line and standardized, interchangeable parts to make the famous Model T that revolutionized industry. It made mass production of high-quality products cost-effective and affordable for the average American. It was that idea – to make industrial products affordable to the common man that was Henry Ford’s greatest triumph.
Related Links
For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Ford
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wrZ__WzlSM
(Film - Henry Ford Documentary - 45:45)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md6V_7QiIVY
(1932 Ford V8 Promottional Film - 35:16)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa0PAg7FfMk
(Film - Trip Through the River Rouge Plant - 30:27)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMlPonSrqVo
(Film - River Rouge - 29:03)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjH4pCatx0I
(Film - The Great Depression - A Job at Ford - 51:40)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PORkrY_e_HQ
(Film - The 1940 Ford - 10:37)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMlPonSrqVo
(Film: The Rouge - 29:03)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuiJyWAW2Pk
(Film: Ford Steel on the Rouge - 18:44)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y584yQSu0uo
(Film: Nenry Ford: Creator of First American Car - 44:37)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GOlPpr9-0Y&t=4s
(Film - A Car is Born - FMC [1969] - 26:27)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfr3_AwuO9Y
(Film: Secret Life of Machines - Internal Combustion Engine - 25:54)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szEOubgj1Yc
(Here's Why Americans Buy Ford - 34:33)
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
