1900 - 1910 The Model T

One of Ford’s most popular and well known cars, the Model T was the car that allowed Ford to dominate the automotive market for nearly a decade. In that time, 1908, much history surrounds the production of the car including labor laws and the invention of the moving assembly line. It was the car that was sold so cheap that it wasn't a luxury item, people that worked in the assembly lines could actually afford it. Before the Model T, Henry Ford prototyped other vehicles starting in 1903. He experimented with different designs and features. These prototyped started from the Model A (1903 model) to the Model S. He didn't make a car for each letter, he skipped quite a few.

The car would forever keep its name in the automotive world. Coined by the Tin Lizzie, the Model T would end up beating all other cars in competition with it due to its affordable price, durability, and speed. The car featured a 4 inline cylinder engine that produced 20 horsepower, translating to about 45 mph. It’s fuel economy was in the range of 13 - 21 mpg. The Model T did not have modern batteries to start the engine, so it required the quick rotating of a crank in front of the engine. This converts mechanical energy to electrical energy to start the engine.

As I said before, there is much history that surrounds this car. It’s manufacturing plants provided work to many unskilled workers thanks to the concept of moving assembly lines. This was basically assembly lines that moved the parts to the worker, and that worker would screw the same screw, tighten the same bolt, or any other work 5000 times a day. The workers were paid handsomely and could themselves afford the Model T. This revolutionized the market as the common man’s car. Just so you get an idea of how popular the Model T was, by 1910, more than half the cars in the US were Model T’s. Ford set up Moel T dealerships in virtually every city in the country. And, the Model T was the first car to be internationally produced. 

This car as I stated before, was definitely mainstream. Although, this car can’t tell us much about the economy of the time, we do know alot of people bought it, but it’s production is close to WWI times. It doesn’t seem to take much impact in sale in terms of safety. Many magazines and articles deem this car to be one of the most dangerous to the no rear view mirrors and the glass shards that can cut up occupants in the case of an accident.