| Years |
Age |
Events |
| 1863 |
0 |
Born in Greenfield Township, Michigan |
| 1871 |
8 |
Starts school |
| 1876 |
13 |
Builds first steam engine |
| 1879 |
16 |
Apprenticed as a machinist in Detroit |
| 1882 |
19 |
Works for Westinghouse in Pennsylvania |
| 1884 |
21 |
Manages a sawmill in Michigan |
| 1885 |
22 |
Works for Edison Electric in Detroit |
| 1887 |
24 |
Returns to farm |
| 1888 |
25 |
Marries Clara Jane Bryant |
| 1891 |
28 |
Hired by Edison Illuminating Company as mechanical engineer |
| 1893 |
30 |
Promoted to chief engineer; son Edsel born |
| 1896 |
33 |
Builds the Quadricycle |
| 1899 |
36 |
Forms Detroit Automobile Company |
| 1900 |
37 |
Builds Sweepstakes racer and wins race |
| 1901 |
38 |
Forms Henry Ford Company, which becomes Cadillac |
| 1902 |
39 |
Leaves Henry Ford Company; builds 999 racer |
| 1903 |
40 |
Incorporates Ford Motor Company; sells first Model A |
| 1904 |
41 |
Introduces Model C |
| 1905 |
42 |
Introduces Model F and N |
| 1906 |
43 |
Introduces Model K and R |
| 1907 |
44 |
Introduces Model S |
| 1908 |
45 |
Introduces Model T |
| 1909 |
46 |
Model T production begins |
| 1910 |
47 |
Introduces Model T with vanadium steel frame |
| 1911 |
48 |
Receives transmission patent |
| 1912 |
49 |
Opens plant in Manchester, England |
| 1913 |
50 |
Implements moving assembly line; introduces $5-a-day wage |
| 1914 |
51 |
Acquires Lincoln Motor Company |
| 1915 |
52 |
“Peace Ship” mission |
| 1916 |
53 |
Introduces tractor; buys out Dodge Brothers |
| 1917 |
54 |
US enters WWI; Ford produces military vehicles |
| 1918 |
55 |
Continues Model T production |
| 1919 |
56 |
Gains full control of Ford Motor Company |
| 1920 |
57 |
Introduces Fordson tractor |
| 1922 |
59 |
Publishes “My Life and Work” |
| 1924 |
61 |
Model T sales peak |
| 1925 |
62 |
Introduces Model T with redesigned body |
| 1926 |
63 |
Introduces Model T with four-wheel brakes |
| 1927 |
64 |
Last Model T produced; introduces Model A |
| 1928 |
65 |
Introduces Model A with four-speed transmission |
| 1929 |
66 |
Introduces Model A with redesigned body |
| 1930 |
67 |
Introduces Model A with new engine |
| 1932 |
69 |
Introduces V-8 engine in Model 18; introduces Ford Truck with V-8 |
| 1933 |
70 |
Introduces Ford V-8-40 with redesigned body |
| 1934 |
71 |
Introduces Lincoln Zephyr |
| 1935 |
72 |
Introduces Mercury brand |
| 1936 |
73 |
Son Edsel becomes president of Ford Motor Company |
| 1938 |
75 |
Introduces Lincoln Continental |
| 1939 |
76 |
Introduces Mercury Eight |
| 1940 |
77 |
Introduces Ford Super DeLuxe |
| 1941 |
78 |
US enters WWII; Ford produces military vehicles |
| 1943 |
80 |
Edsel dies; Henry resumes presidency |
| 1945 |
82 |
Resigns as president; succeeded by Henry Ford II |
| 1947 |
84 |
Dies in Dearborn, Michigan |
