Henry Ford

Henry Ford

Philanthropist, Businessman
Race Car Builder and Driver

Henry Ford was born in Greenfield Township, Michigan and while he was born on a farm showed no interest in farming and went to work as an apprentice machinist. After a few years, Ford became an engineer with the Edison Illuminating Company and had time to experiment on gasoline engines. In 1901, with the help of C. Harold Willis, Ford designed, built and successfully raced a 26-horsepower automobile. Ford also produced the 80+ horsepower racer “999”. Ford maintained an interest in auto racing from 1901 to 1913 as both a builder and a driver. In 1999 Ford was among 18 people included in Gallup’s List of Widely Admired People of the 20th Century. Ford’s philanthropy can be seen in many walks of life and have impacted tens if not hundreds of millions of people over the years. Henry Ford was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1996, the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 1975, the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1945, awarded the and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1978. He passed away on April 7, 1947 at 83 years of age.