- published: 03 Jun 2013
- views: 12654
Henry Ford (July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947) was an American industrialist, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, and the sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production.
Although Ford did not invent the automobile or the assembly line, he developed and manufactured the first automobile that many middle class Americans could afford. In doing so, Ford converted the automobile from an expensive curiosity into a practical conveyance that would profoundly impact the landscape of the twentieth century. His introduction of the Model T automobile revolutionized transportation and American industry. As the owner of the Ford Motor Company, he became one of the richest and best-known people in the world. He is credited with "Fordism": mass production of inexpensive goods coupled with high wages for workers. Ford had a global vision, with consumerism as the key to peace. His intense commitment to systematically lowering costs resulted in many technical and business innovations, including a franchise system that put dealerships throughout most of North America and in major cities on six continents. Ford left most of his vast wealth to the Ford Foundation and arranged for his family to control the company permanently.
[FORD]
See my people?
Well, here's my theory
Of what this country
Is moving toward.
Every worker
A cog in motion.
Well, that's the notion of
Henry Ford!
One man tightens
And one man ratchets
And one man reaches
To pull one cord.
Car keeps moving
In one direction.
[ENSEMBLE]
A genuflection to
Henry Ford!
Hallelujah!
Praise the maker
Of the Model T!
[FORD]
Speed up the belt.
Speed up the belt, Sam.
[ENSEMBLE]
Hallelujah!
[COALHOUSE]
Hell, I'll take her!
[ENSEMBLE]
Sure amazin'
How far some fellas can see!
[FORD]
Speed up the belt.
Speed up the belt, Sam.
Speed up the belt.
Speed up the belt, Sam!
[ENSEMBLE & FORD]
Speed up the, speed up the, speed up the speed up the belt!
[ENSEMBLE]
Mass production
Will sweep the nation.
A simple notion,
The world's reward.
[FORD]
Even people who ain't too clever
Can learn to tighten a nut forever,
Attach one pedal
Or pull one lever
[ENSEMBLE]
For Henry Ford!
Henry Ford!
Henry Ford!
Henry Ford!
[FORD]
Grab yor goggles
[ENSEMBLE & FORD]
And climb aboard!
[COALHOUSE]
I'm ready, Lord!