Henry Ford: The Most Important Figure In America's Industry

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Henry Ford was one of the most important figures in America’s industry. He was born on July 30, 1863 close to Dearborn, Michigan. At 13, his father gave him a pocket watch which he took apart and reassembled. Because living and working on a farm did not satisfy him, Ford left home at the age of 16 and apprenticed a machinist in Detroit. After marrying Clara Ala Bryant in 1888, he was hired as an engineer for the Edison Illuminating company 3 years later and was quickly promoted to chief engineer. During this time he developed plans for a horseless carriage and Thomas Edison encouraged him to build a better model. In 1903, Henry Ford established the Ford Motor Company. He also introduced a revolutionary idea: an inexpensive automobile made by