Henry Ford's 150th Anniversary Celebrated Around the World

July 30th 2013 marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of Henry Ford, whose ground-breaking ideas revolutionized transportation and brought mobility to the masses. Henry Ford's impact is being recognized through events and declarations around the world. Celebrations at Ford Motor Company’s Dearborn headquarters were complemented by a special proclamation by the state of Michigan (USA) declaring it “Henry Ford Day.” In Washington, D.C., hundreds downtown and on Capitol Hill will marked the day enjoying commemorative cupcakes delivered by a food truck – part of a mobile movement Henry Ford would support.

OneShift Editorial Team

01 Aug 2013

While the events marked the day of Henry Ford’s birth, they were just part of a yearlong celebration of the man and his achievements. Given Henry Ford’s global impact, the anniversary of his birth is being commemorated in countries around the world throughout 2013. Some of the events include:

- Dealers in 21 Asia Pacific markets have launched Ford Heritage month, transforming showrooms into exhibitions on Ford’s rich history.

- Ford of Germany marked the occasion with a series of five road rallies that celebrated Ford’s numerous automotive breakthroughs over the last 110 years .

- More than 4,000 people attended community events held by Ford in Romania

- In Great Britain, celebrations were capped by the reveal of a restored statue of Henry Ford at the company’s UK Tech Centre

Henry Ford’s introduction of the automobile into the mass market transformed agricultural economies in the United States and around the world into prosperous industrial and urban markets. Many historians credit him with creating a middle class in America. His high minimum wage – revolutionary at the time – set a precedent for fair distribution of company wealth that influenced later management practices.

Henry Ford initially struggled to get Ford Motor Company on solid financial footing, but broke through with the Model T. The iconic vehicle debuted in October 1908, opening a new era in America. More than 15 million Model T’s were built and sold as Ford Motor Company put the nation on wheels.

Henry Ford’s spirit of innovation continues to guide Ford Motor Company today, reflected in a lineup of vehicles as diverse as the F-150 pickup, Mustang sports car and Fusion Hybrid sedan. It lives on in technologies such as Ford SYNC, the company’s in-vehicle infotainment system, and fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines. And it echoes through employees serving customers across six continents.

Henry Ford died on April 7, 1947, at 83. More than 50 years after his death, in 1999, Forbes magazine named him “Businessman of the Century,” and in 2012 a History Channel documentary highlighted him as one of “The Men Who Built America.” In coming months, celebrations will continue with additional events around the world.

Credits: Oneshift News Team