Happy birthday Henry

Ford Motor Company’s Dearborn headquarters paid respect to its founder this week in a celebration to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Henry Ford.

The innovative businessman revolutionised the transportation industry and brought mobility to the masses, an impact recognised by the state of Michigan which declared the anniversary “Henry Ford Day”.

Speaking at the celebrations Bill Ford, Ford Executive Chairman and great-grandson of founder Henry Ford, said that the vision set out by his great-grandfather remained an inspiration for the company to this day.

“What my great-grandfather established, especially his legacy of innovation continues to inspire our commitment to a strong business, great products and a better world,” said Ford.

“We are putting unexpected levels of technology within reach of millions of people, accelerating the development of new products that customers want and value, and driving growth by creating jobs and bringing the freedom of mobility to the world.

“My great-grandfather’s vision was to improve people’s lives by making cars affordable for the average family. His vision to build cars that are reasonably priced, reliable and efficient still resonates and defines our vision today,” he concluded.

The celebrations form part of a year-long list of activities planned to celebrate the Blue Ovals’ milestone. Appropriately, given Ford’s global impact, the anniversary of its founder’s birth is being commemorated in countries across the globe.

Dealers in 21 Asia-Pacific markets have launched what they’re calling Ford Heritage month. The network of dealerships has transformed its showrooms into exhibitions celebrating Ford’s diverse history.

Ford of Germany will celebrate with a motorsport-themed series of events that include five road rallies. Each, say the European organisers, will pay homage to Ford’s numerous automotive breakthroughs over the past 110 years.

In Romania recently, more than 4000 Ford fans attended a community celebration of the brand while in Great Britain, celebrations were marked by the unveiling of a restored statue of Henry Ford at the company’s UK Technical Centre.

In coming months, celebrations will continue with additional events across Europe, South America and the United States.

Henry Ford’s many contributions to transportation and industry include the introduction of the car into the mass market, a move which transformed agricultural economies in the United States and around the world.

Henry Ford is further credited with the invention of the moving assembly line (1913), the five-dollar work-day — a 100 per cent increase in pay at the time (1914), and the principle of vertical integration (1927).

Ford’s first car, the Model T, debuted in 1908 and went on to sell more than 15 million examples.

Henry Ford died in 1947 at the age of 83.