75 years of Innovators: Henry Ford

Jan. 8, 2004
Henry Ford may be best known as the founder of one of the largest American car companies as well as the first to introduce assembly lines for mass production of vehicles.

In the 75 years since Machine Design began publication, here are some of the people who have changed the way we live.

Henry Ford
Introduced the first mass-produced V8
1863-1947

But, in 1932 at age 69, he introduced his last engineering triumph: the V8. This was the first low-cost, mass-produced V8, leaving the competition, which was producing six-cylinder engines, in the dust.

Ford was the first company to successfully cast a V8 block in one piece, which was produced at the company's Rouge plant. Detachable "flathead" cylinder heads gave the engine its name. Notable features include a dual-plane crank, 90* V design, and a downdraft carburetor. The flathead V8 produced 65 hp at 3,400 rpm, and went from 0 to 60 mph in 14 sec. The first "Model 18" equipped vehicle rolled off production lines on March 9, 1932. By June, production of the flathead V8s hit the 1 million mark.

Sponsored Recommendations

Customizations to Get Standard Motors to Mars

Jan. 10, 2025
Clearly, the Martian environment can be harsh and unaccommodating to systems made to operate on Earth. Through a combination of standard industrial motors and creative collaboration...

No Access for Bacteria: An Inside Look at Maxon's Cleanroom

Jan. 10, 2025
Tiny drive systems for use in the human body have to be built in a clean environment, free of microbiological contamination. Welcome to the GMP cleanroom of maxon, where discipline...

High-Efficiency, Precision Drive Systems for Every Robot

Jan. 10, 2025
Robots assemble devices, explore space, and perform surgeries. To achieve human-like motion and accuracy they need powerful and highly precise drives. Learn about custom-made ...

The Importance of Motors in Transportation

Jan. 10, 2025
As we progress toward more efficient and automated systems, the need for robust and reliable motors in the transportation industry has become more critical than ever. Explore ...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!