The 1909-27 Ford Model T truly put America on wheels. Here, noted automotive historian Bob Casey explains the Model T’s revolutionary engineering and design.
As every school kid knows, Henry Ford’s Model T of 1909-27 put America on wheels and revolutionized human transportation. But what made it so revolutionary? What properties gave this modest, low-priced automobile the ability to change the world?
The perfect man to answer this question is our valued friend Bob Casey, retired transportation curator at The Henry Ford, noted automotive historian, and author of The Model T: A Centennial History. In this video, produced by Seven Cylinders Studio for the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant (see our visit to this unique Detroit museum here) Bob breaks down the Model T’s groundbreaking design in plain, simple terms. His five keys to the Model T’s success: light weight; monobloc cylinder construction; flexible chassis; advanced engine design; flywheel magneto electrical system; planetary transmission. All five are described in clear but thorough detail. If you are a student of the automobile, here are six highly educational minutes. Enjoy the video.
Thank you for this video. There is one thing though. I would bet 99% of school kids today don’t know the model T put most of America on wheels, and I would bet the same that most school kids today don’t know that the automobile made the United States what it is today either. Most kids today are taught that the automobile is a environmental disaster and that for the time being is a necessary evil in our society.
we were green before these fools today ever knew what that meant! Pop bottles, taken to the store for 2 cents quarts were 5 cents. Milk bottles were sent back to be used again. Tires were used for many things, Road bed additives, etc. So much was done when I was a kid. I’m 75, the waste today is much more than when I was young!!
Appliances could be fixed instead of throwing them away when they broke. And how long did you have that phone on your desk?
Thanks for this presentation. I have posted it on Facebook titled “Motor City Magic”