Change on Wheels: The 1908 Debut of the Iconic Ford Model T and Its Impact on the Automobile Industry

In 1908, Henry Ford released the Ford Model T.
This car changed how people moved.
Many Americans could now own a car that cost less.
Car ownership grew and the middle class took shape.

Beginning of Change

Henry Ford had a clear plan.
He wanted a car that many could buy.
He built a car that was solid and simple to drive.
The first Model T left the Ford plant on September 27, 1908, at Piquette Avenue in Detroit.
The Model T marked a new way to build cars by using mass production.

Ford set up a moving line in 1913.
This line cut down on time and cost.
The price fell from about $850 in 1908 to near $260 in 1925.
More people could now drive their own car.

Car Traits and New Ideas

The Model T had a four-cylinder engine that made about 20 horsepower.
It could run at speeds up to 42 mph.
A light frame built with vanadium steel helped the car last long.
A two-speed gearbox made driving simple, and a manual crank started the engine.
Early models could include a windshield and had the steering wheel on the left.

The Car’s Role in Society

The Model T changed everyday life.
It gave many people a new kind of freedom and ease of travel.
By the early 1920s, many registered cars on U.S. roads were Model Ts.
Its nickname, "Tin Lizzie," spread fast, and many grew to like the car.
Neighborhoods and small towns grew as road travel drew people out of busy cities.

The Enduring Mark of the Model T

Production lasted until 1927, and over 15 million cars were sold.
The record set by these sales closed a major chapter in car making.
The car shifted the way families and individuals moved and worked.
The methods used to build it influenced other fields and set new steps for production.

The 1908 start of the Model T changed the car world and U.S. society.
It stands as a sign of new ideas, freedom, and the push to change life for many people.
Its mark stays with us today.

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