Henry Ford and the Model T - (Inventions and Discovery) by Michael O'Hearn (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Tells the story of Henry Ford, along with his invention, the popular Model T automobile.

Review Quotes

Author O'Hearn has written an interesting thirty-two page picture book in cartoon format about Henry Ford and his invention of the Model T. Ford's story is told mainly through dialogue and crisp, life-like illustrations that will capture the interest of young readers. In four chapters, the author has summarized the main points of the development of Ford's Model T. The first chapter deals with Ford's idea to build a car that would be affordable for the masses, and he and his team developed a number of models before he decided on a final one. Chapters two and three talk about how the Model T was marketed to the public, and how 15 model cars were sold by 1927. Next O'Hearn describes the impact the Model T had on America. It created a middle class. Many factory workers could now own a car because it was less expensive than an electric car. More information about Ford and his car is listed at the back of the book. For example, the Model T was often thought of as part of the family. Ford built his first car, called the quadricycle, in a shed behind his Detroit home, but when he tried to drive it out, the car was too wide to get out of the door. Ford had to break down one of the brick walls. A glossary, internet sites, further reading and a bibliography are also included. Readers will quickly read through this book helped along by the graphics.-- "Children's Literature Comprehensive Database"

Henry Ford had been successfully building cars in Detroit, Michigan for four years when he began working on a new project. He wanted to make a car for a different part of American society. Until then he had been making cars which only wealthy, mostly city people, could afford. Not only that but these cars was not the kind of vehicle that the average American could use because the average American did not live in the city. The kind of car he wanted to make would have to be inexpensive to buy and yet tough. It would have to be able to drive on poor roads and it would have to be easy to repair. By October of 1908 the Model T was on sale. With its $850 price tag it was not cheap but it was still a good deal and people bought them as fast as they were being made. In fact it soon became clear that Ford needed to find a faster way to make his popular little car. What he came up with was the assembly line factory, the first of its kind. He also made sure that his workers were treated fairly and as a result his factories turned out an enormous number of Model Ts. The workers were even paid enough that they could afford to buy their own Model T. In this interesting and well written graphic novel style title readers will discover how much the development of Henry Ford's Model T influenced his times. By creating an affordable car for the general public Henry Ford opened up the world for the middle classes, and he also gave his own workers opportunities that they would not have otherwise had. With its well written and carefully researched text and its graphic rich format, this is a book which will certainly attract young readers who have an interest in the past.-- "Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Review"

This biography in graphic novel form is as much about the car credited with "creating the middle class" as it is the man. The amazing process that made it possible, assembly line mass production, revolutionized the economics of manufacturing. An appealing presentation of an important story, accessible to reluctant readers.-- "Library Sparks"