How Did Henry Ford Affect The Economy

Although automobiles existed before Henry Ford created his model, he was still a great influence on the country. Ford Motor Company was established in 1905 and "by 1929, half of all Americans owned a car" (Foner, 612). One of the most important thing that Ford had done was adopt the moving assembly line in 1913. This contributed to more people owning cars, which in turn stimulated the economy and increased the need for supplies. Spurring consumerism within the nation, Henry Ford and the automobile were great for a number of things in the economy. As mentioned before, Henry Ford had established his company, Ford Motor Company, in 1905. In 1908 he introduced his first vehicle, the Model T which sold 34,000 cars at $700 each in 1910 and 730,000
This “modern consumerism saddled Americans with a culture of debt and rising material expectations that promised individual "satisfaction" while delivering an unquenchable desire for something new” (Blanke, 4). More and more people started to buy things on credit without any attention to what they could afford anymore. They were in search of that higher social status and personal gratification. The use of buying things on credit became an increasing trend and left many Americans in a debt that was only growing. There also became a “ rising toll of auto-related fatalities, especially those produced by intoxicated or otherwise reckless drivers” (Blanke, 3). With the struggle of prohibition in the 1920s intoxicated drivers became a great concern. There became a new awareness for the safety of pedestrians and other drivers. The need for laws regulating those able to drive and their behavior behind the wheel became of an increasing need. Yes, the automobiles did create some negative results, but it also greatly helped the progress of a growing modern America. He certainly did not create the first automobile but Henry Ford was a great influence in the "roaring twenties.” While contributing to consumerism Ford helped to build some new ideas and industries. With his new plans and ways of doing things Ford brought about a time period known as "Fordism". Ford 's concepts helped bring the United States into the Industrial Revolution and helped with trade in other countries. Assembly line perfection, steel manufacturing, rubber manufacturing, mobile America, and consumerism are some of the things he aided with in his