Henry Ford’s Legacy: Innovation, Persistence, and the American Roadtrip

Henry Ford revolutionized the automobile industry—and he transformed how Americans lived, worked, and traveled. Our visit to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and the original Ford factory with its historic assembly line brought his impact to life. It also connected to our earlier visit to Ford’s winter estate in Fort Myers, where his friendship with Thomas Edison and Harvey Firestone helped shape the very concept of the American road trip.

Before founding Ford Motor Company in 1903, Henry Ford led two failed automobile ventures. His third attempt changed history, making cars affordable and accessible to everyday Americans.

At the Henry Ford Museum, we saw how the Model T and moving assembly line, introduced in 1913, drastically lowered car prices. By perfecting the assembly line, he lowered prices from $850 in 1909 to $260 by 1925, making automobile ownership a reality for middle-class families.

At Ford’s historic Dearborn factory, we walked through the original assembly line, where workers built cars in record time. This process didn’t just transform Detroit—it shaped the entire country, making personal transportation a part of American life.

One of our regrets was not being able to visit Greenfield Village due to winter closures. Ford didn’t just collect artifacts; he recreated history, moving entire buildings to Greenfield Village to preserve American innovation. Among them is Thomas Edison’s Menlo Park laboratory, a place we were particularly eager to see after visiting Ford and Edison’s winter retreats in Fort Myers.

Ford didn’t just make cars; he made travel and exploration accessible to millions. Our own journey across America wouldn’t be possible without his vision over a century ago. As we continue down the road, we know we’re following in the footsteps of Ford, Edison and Firestone on their early roadtrips—exploring, learning, and appreciating the freedom of the open road.