Photo: AP
PODCAST:
Oct. 6, 2026 ~ Not only did Henry Ford put the world on wheels, 100 years ago Ford Motor Company popularized the 40-day work week and gave us the beloved “weekend.”
DETROIT ~ Henry Ford did not invent the automobile, but he transformed it into a product that changed everyday life in America. Through the success of the Model T and his vision of building an affordable car for ordinary people, Ford helped make personal transportation accessible to millions and turned the automobile from a luxury item into a necessity.
Ford’s innovations extended beyond the car itself. By introducing the moving assembly line and increasing worker wages, he revolutionized manufacturing, lowered production costs and helped shape the modern industrial workforce. His impact on transportation, business and American culture remains a defining part of Michigan’s legacy as America celebrates its 250th anniversary.
