Inspiration for the Model T
1896 Ford Quadricycle
From his early years growing up on a farm, Henry Ford was an individual with a propensity for machinery.[10] In 1880, he left home to work as an apprentice at a steam engine repair shop in Detroit where he learned mechanics. His acquired knowledge sparked his interest in creating a vehicle that would run on the road.[11] In 1896, he created his first vehicle named the “Quadricycle”. He wanted to improve on this and is quoted in 1908:
“I will build a motor car for the great multitude. It will be large enough for the family but small enough for the individual to run and care for. It will be constructed of the best materials, by the best men to be hired, after the simplest designs that modern engineering can devise. But it will be so low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one and enjoy with his family the blessings of hours of pleasure in God’s great open spaces.”[12]
Henry Ford continued to improve his designs and founded Ford Motor Company in 1903. He developed into a savvy businessman while his company produced 20,000 vehicles from 1903 to 1908.[13] He made the connection that, “everyone wants to be someplace he ain’t. And as soon as he gets there, he wants to go right back.” Ford was realizing the basics of the automobile market as he contemplated using interchangeable parts and sturdy materials incorperating ideas from meat packers and arms and watch factories. This knowledge allowed Ford to produce a quality product in the Model T.
“I will build a motor car for the great multitude. It will be large enough for the family but small enough for the individual to run and care for. It will be constructed of the best materials, by the best men to be hired, after the simplest designs that modern engineering can devise. But it will be so low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one and enjoy with his family the blessings of hours of pleasure in God’s great open spaces.”[12]
Henry Ford continued to improve his designs and founded Ford Motor Company in 1903. He developed into a savvy businessman while his company produced 20,000 vehicles from 1903 to 1908.[13] He made the connection that, “everyone wants to be someplace he ain’t. And as soon as he gets there, he wants to go right back.” Ford was realizing the basics of the automobile market as he contemplated using interchangeable parts and sturdy materials incorperating ideas from meat packers and arms and watch factories. This knowledge allowed Ford to produce a quality product in the Model T.
