Clara Ford.

An interesting part of our global, economic history. It all started here in this simple, 3-story brick building still standing in the heart of a rough section in Detroit. The Ford Piquette Factory was built in 1904; it is the first factory that produced The Model T. Of course, we know this automobile changed the world in countless ways. The first production Model T rolled out the back door of this plant on Sept 27, 1908. Over 15 million Model T's were produced before production stopped in 1927. A new chapter in global manufacturing was unfolding, and the technologies, processes, and management capabilities that developed around the Model T were now quickly spreading to other industries and places.

The first Model T's cost $850 to build - and sold for $1,400. Not many common working folks or farmers could afford a car at that price. But farmers have a unique way of figuring out a new calculus. Henry Ford was a former farmer who obsessed with improving technology and processes. He constantly asked, “How can we do this better?” Ford would eventually find ways to reduce the overall cost to $250 per unit and the retail price set at only $500. He also doubled the wages of his workers overnight and caused a chain reaction across Detroit, arguably the most technologically-advanced city in the world at that time. By 1925 Ford got the retail price down to a low of $260 while still making hefty profits. Henry was a genius innovator; not a salesman. The first major banker that Henry Ford visited to seek funding for his Piquette factory turned him down. He famously told Ford, “No one will give up their horses and carriages for an automobile.” Within a few short years, the City of Detroit and surrounding area would be crowded with noisy and dirty automobiles.

Ford and his team created new technologies in the drawing room late at night on the 3rd floor at the back of this factory. Everything from engine designs, absorbers, and driving style. A practical man, he famously quipped in the early years that “you can choose any color you want, as long as it is black.” His only child, Edsel, would later grow up and become President of The Ford Motor Company; it was Edsel who would eventually introduce a range of color choices for your automobile. Henry's wife, Clara Ford, made him eventually change the steering wheel from the right side of the car to the left side. In fact, she made many changes over the years to make Henry's automobiles more stylish and comfortable to drive. Henry used to refer to Clara as "The Believer." In the early days when no one believed in his grand ideas of a horseless carriage, it was Clara who was consistent and adamant that Henry's invention was going to change the world. She was right. Clara Ford was the solid support and inspiration behind a lot of the success of The Ford Motor Company; and the success and growth of the automobile industry. Clara is largely a part of the Story Untold.

Detroit could never have become the manufacturing capital of the world if it hadn't been for the lumber workers in Northern Michigan and Northern Ontario. A massive lumber industry had developed between 1850 and 1900, and they could effectively and economically cut and transport lumber down to Southern Michigan on ships along the Great Lakes. There were a tremendous number of lumber jacks, trees, ships, captains, and deep waterways to enable a special set of trades to develop in Southern Michigan. Detroit became the global center of carriage building; craftsmen would economically build and ship millions of quality carriages around the world on ships leaving Detroit and traveling along the early St. Lawrence Seaway System to the Atlantic Ocean. From there, those custom carriages would go to all four corners of the globe. In addition, Henry Ford had access to a large, skilled population of carriage tradesmen who quickly converted over to automobile production for higher wages - and a nice employee discount on a new horseless carriage for the family. A large pool of skilled talent is needed to build any dream. You could say Henry Ford and Clara Ford - and Detroit - were in the right place at the right time. We should always remember the critical and powerful role that Clara Ford played in our modern economic success.