It is a historical fact that Henry Ford, the renowned industrialist and founder of Ford Motor Company, resisted making significant improvements to the Model T for a long time. However, it’s important to note that this decision was not entirely without reason.
At the time, the Model T was a runaway success, and Ford had achieved incredible economies of scale by streamlining the production process. Making significant changes to the design would have required a massive overhaul of the entire manufacturing process, which Ford deemed too costly and time-consuming.
However, it’s also true that Ford was known for his strong personality and at times, extreme behavior. There are several accounts of him destroying prototypes that didn’t meet his expectations.
Despite his reluctance to change the Model T, Ford’s legacy as an innovator and inventor cannot be denied. He revolutionized the manufacturing industry with his assembly line techniques, and his introduction of the $5 workday helped to transform the American middle class.
