Purpose: Read about Henry Ford, and then write facts about him on a BIO-CUBE (all done online).

Instructions: Read the biography below first.

Henry Ford
Written by- Ms. Jasztal

People rely on vehicles to get them around. Without Henry Ford, vehicles would not be possible.

Henry Ford was born on July 30, 1863 and grew up very wealthy on a family farm in Michigan. From a very early age, he showed an interest in mechanics and did not enjoy working on the farm all that much. When he was 16, he left home to go to the nearby major city of Detriot, where he worked as an apprentice machinist. (That meant he worked with a machinist who had lots of experience while he was just starting out and learning about machines.) He was an apprentice for three years and then returned to be with his family, though he also operated and repaired steam engines. Though his family was elated to have their son back in their lives, he did not stay all that long. He soon married Clara Bryant in 1888 and supported him and his wife by running a sawmill.

In 1891, Henry became an engineer with the Edison Illuminating Company (Edison Lighting Company) in Detroit. He was promoted to Chief Engineer in 1893, which was a "big deal position". While Chief Engineer, he was able to work on experiments, and one of those was called the Quadricycle. The Quadricycle had four wheels that looked like heavy bicycle wheels and had two forward speeds with no reverse. Though Henry was not the first to build a vehicle that propelled itself with a gasoline engine, he helped the United States to rely more on motor vehicles.

In 1903, the Ford Motor Company became a possibility, though it was not a success to get the business started. He tried and failed... twice! Yet the third time around, his new company produced only a few cars a day. Groups of two and three men worked on each car from pieces made to order by other companies. His first affordable automobile, the Model T Ford, was introduced to the public in 1908. It was easier to operate than several cars had ever been before.

Ten years later, half of the people in America were driving this car. Yet in remembering the small factory that produced two cars a day, a larger factory had to be opened. In his new factory, he had an assembly line and several more workers. The assembly line was excellent because more cars could be assembled daily. This lowered costs and made Ford's company the largest automobile manufacturer in the world.

Neat fact- His workers were paid $5.00 for an eight hour day! Imagine that. Much has changed in the last 100 years.

Ford passed away in 1947 at age 83.

Henry Ford quotes-
"Before everything else, getting ready is the secret of success."

"Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success."

"Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grieves which we endure help us in our marching onward."

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JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT:

Go to make your Bio-Cube. Read these instructions as you are working on your cube.

#1- Type in your first and last name. Click on begin.

#2- Work on side 1.