Happy Birthday Henry!
July 30 marks the 150th anniversary of Henry Ford’s birthday. A true visionary, Henry Ford changed the lives of the average citizen, as well as the lives of his factory workers. Shortening the workday to eight hours and paying $5 for a day’s work were radical ideas when Ford implemented them in 1914. But, these novel ideas helped create America’s middle class and enabled workers to actually buy the product they were making.
Born in 1863 on a farm in Greenfield Township, a former Wayne County township (at the intersection of Ford and Greenfield Roads), Henry preferred tinkering with machinery to farming. Rather than taking over the family farm as his father had hoped, Henry left home in 1879 to work as a machinist in Detroit. He eventually became an engineer for the Edison Illuminating Company. In 1896, Henry was introduced to Thomas Edison, who encouraged Henry’s experiments with automobiles. After several failed companies, the Ford Motor Company was launched in 1903. The rest, as they say, is history.
The University of Michigan-Dearborn stands on the grounds of Henry Ford’s beautiful estate, Fair Lane. Our campus has a unique and historic relationship with Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company.
Numerous events and celebrations are being held this year in the Dearborn area. You can read more about Henry Ford or find information about commemorative events at the following websites:
A display commemorating the anniversary of Ford’s birth is located near the elevators on the first floor of the Mardigian Library. Check it out!
