Henry Ford
Two car companies failed under him before Ford Motor; the third put the world on wheels.
Henry Ford was born in 1863 in Dearborn, Michigan, US. Henry Ford's background is described as Irish immigrant father, Belgian-descent mother. Growing up, the family was middle class — a successful farm household; he hated farm work and left for Detroit at 16. Two car companies failed under him before Ford Motor; the third put the world on wheels.
- Born
- 1863 · Dearborn, Michigan, US
- Roots
- Irish immigrant father, Belgian-descent mother
- Family
- Middle class
- A successful farm household; he hated farm work and left for Detroit at 16.
- Education
- Farm schooling; apprenticed as a machinist in Detroit
- Started with
- $28K raised
- Ford Motor's 1903 founding capital from twelve investors — after two failed car companies.
- Affiliations & societies
- FreemasonryDocumented
- Raised in Palestine Lodge No. 357, Detroit, in 1894; later received the Scottish Rite's 33rd degree.
- Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.
The pathway
- 1879 · age 16Walks to Detroit
Machinist apprenticeships; returns to the farm, then leaves for good.
- 1893 · age 30Chief engineer at Edison Illuminating
Thomas Edison personally encourages his gasoline-car experiments.
- 1896 · age 32The Quadricycle
His first vehicle, built in a shed behind his home.
- 1901 · age 38Two companies fail
The Detroit Automobile Company folds; he leaves the second, which becomes Cadillac.
- 1903 · age 39Ford Motor Company$28K
- 1908 · age 45Model T
Fifteen million sold over nineteen years.
- 1913 · age 50The moving assembly line
Chassis assembly falls from over 12 hours to 93 minutes.
- 1914 · age 50The $5 day$5/day
Roughly doubles the prevailing wage; applications flood the gates.
- 1938 · age 75Grand Cross of the German Eagle
Accepts Nazi Germany's highest honor for foreigners; his Dearborn Independent had published antisemitic series in the 1920s.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Henry Ford from?
Henry Ford was born in 1863 in Dearborn, Michigan, US. Their background is described as Irish immigrant father, Belgian-descent mother.
When was Henry Ford born?
Henry Ford was born in 1863, in Dearborn, Michigan, US.
What is Henry Ford's background or ethnicity?
Henry Ford's roots are described as Irish immigrant father, Belgian-descent mother. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.
Where did Henry Ford go to school?
Henry Ford's education: Farm schooling; apprenticed as a machinist in Detroit.
What was Henry Ford's family background growing up?
At birth the family was middle class. A successful farm household; he hated farm work and left for Detroit at 16.
How did Henry Ford get started?
Henry Ford started with $28K raised. Ford Motor's 1903 founding capital from twelve investors — after two failed car companies.
Sources
Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.