As far as American Icons go it probably doesn't get much bigger and recognizable than Henry Ford and Ford Motors. Not the inventor of the automobile, that credit goes to Carl Benz (go back and listen to that episode) but Henry developed what would become the modern automotive industry as we know it. Assembly lines were a thing, just not with cars until Henry decided to use them to mass produce the Model T. His first mass produced car took the nation by storm and at one point 1/2 of all individuals who learned how to drive did so on a Model T. Where Henry excelled at making affordable reliable vehicles he fell short on personal skills, treatment of his workers, and being a father. He even almost caused the downfall of his company by not being able to tear himself away from his precious Model T and modernize with companies like General Motors who came along and challenged Ford for the top spot and for a while took the crown. Through the "Pony Wars" where each manufacturer took turns one upping each other on Horsepower, to the battle to make the most economical car when the gas shortages hit. The story of Ford is fascinating to say the very least.

Side note: Prof Chris was battling through a sinus infection which is why he sounds so sexy. 

Support the show

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.