Overview

Henry Ford (1863-1947) revolutionized the automobile industry with the Model T. Instead of seeing the car as a plaything of the rich, Ford envisioned a vehicle "for the great multitude." The Model T, Ford decreed, would be both dependable and affordable. The success of the Model T had a profound impact on the United States, as it made the automobile a common household possession. The automobile freed people to move, and with millions of vehicles clamoring for space, an infrastructure had to be created to support them. Roads, gas stations, and other amenities became part of an ever-expanding culture built around the automobile. Average people were able to buy the Model T, and as a result the car became an everyday necessity.

Background

Contrary to popular belief, Henry Ford did not invent the automobile or...