"LOWER, ALL-STEEL BODIES ON A LOWERED CHASSIS"

MAJOR CHANGES ANNOUNCED IN FORD AUTOMOBILES

Detroit, Michigan (JFK+50) Ford Motor Company announced on August 26, 1925 "the most pronounced changes ever made in the body (of Ford automobiles) since adoption of the model T chassis."

The new Ford line will be introduced immediately in all assembly plants in the United States.

Improvements include "lower, all-steel bodies on a lowered chassis," and the option of "color in closed cars" as opposed to the here-to-fore standard black.

The vehicles will have improved brakes and larger compartments for driver and passenger."

JFK+50 NOTE

Henry Ford once suggested the customer could have any color he wanted "as long as it is black."

SOURCE

"Ford Starts Output of New Line of Cars," The Seattle Star, Seattle, Washington, August 26, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

1925 Ford Model T Touring

Australia (2018)

Photo by ModelTMitch

"JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IS A DISTANT SECOND"

HENRY FORD STILL THE RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD

New York City (JFK+50) On May 5, 1923, The Alaska Daily Empire reports automaker Henry Ford* "now has a fortune estimated between $600,000,000 and S$750,000,000."

While Wall Street has previously recognized Mr. Ford as the "richest man in the world," the publication of Ford Motor Company assets confirms that assessment.

FMC assets as of May 1923 total $536,000,000.

Coming in a distant second is oil magnate John D. Rockefeller who has a fortune estimated at a mere $300,000,000.

*Henry Ford (1863-1947) was born in Springwells, Michigan & founded Ford Motor Company.  HF developed mass production of automobiles which made them affordable to the middle class.

SOURCE

"Concede Henry Ford Richest Man In World," The Alaska Daily Empire, May 5, 1923, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

 

 

Henry Ford

1919

Photo by Hartsook

Library of Congress

 

"LEAVE ALL FORMS OF LIQUOR ALONE AT ALL TIMES"

FORD CRACKS DOWN ON EMPLOYEES WHO DRINK BEER, WINE OR LIQUOR

Detroit, Michigan (JFK+50) On September 11, 1922, Henry Ford* issued orders to 70,000 Ford Motor Company employees "to leave all forms of liquor...alone at all times under penalty of losing their jobs."

Mr. Ford said that recent accidents at his automobile plants had been caused by "drinking among certain...employees."

The notice reads...

"From now on it will cost a man his job...to have the odor of beer, wine or liquor on his breath."

*Henry Ford (1863-1947) was born in Springwells Township, MI, founded the Ford Motor Company, developed the assembly line method of production & his 'Model T' revolutionized American transportation.  

SOURCE

"Liquor Drinkers In Ford Factories To Be Discharged," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., September 11, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/ 

 

 

Henry Ford

Photo by Hartsook (1919)

Library of Congress

FIRST WOMAN IN SPACE

FIRST WOMAN IN SPACE LAUNCHED 53 YEARS AGO TODAY

Moscow, USSR (JFK+50) In the 1960 presidential campaign, Senator John F. Kennedy often spoke of the United States lagging behind the Soviet Union in the space race.

Fifty-three years ago today, June 16, 1961, the Soviets once again trumped the American space program by launching the first woman into outer space.

Valentina Tereshkova* made a total of 48 orbits of the earth aboard the Vostok 6 and spent 71 hours in space.  She experienced nausea and physical discomfort for most of the 3 day flight.

The second woman in space, also a Russian, would not occur until 19 years later.

At the time of Ms. Tereshkova's launch, the United States had no women in training in the space program.

Soviet Postage Stamp

*Valentina Tereshkova was born in the USSR on March 6, 1937.  She was recruited for the Soviet space program when she was working in a textile factory and had experience in skydiving.

Tereshkova earned a PhD in Engineering in 1977.

Valentina Tereshkova

Heureka Science Centre

Finland

Photo by Mikko Tuomela (2002)

JFK DECIDES TO SEND MILITARY ADVISERS TO SOUTH VIETNAM

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) 53 years ago today, June 16, 1961, after meeting with South Vietnam envoy Nguyen Dinh Thuan, President John F. Kennedy made the decision to send American military advisers as instructors to South Vietnam to aid in the battle against the North Vietnamese Communists.

The number of US military advisers would steadily increase from 900 at the end of 1961 to 3200 by the end of 1962 and to 16,000 at the time of JFK's death in November 1963.

Vietnam Map

by GGlassey

FORD MOTOR COMPANY CREATED 111 YEARS AGO

Detroit, Michigan (JFK+50) Henry Ford and prospective stockholders met in Detroit 111 years ago today, June 16, 1903, to sign the official paperwork to create the FORD MOTOR CORPORATION.

In 1913, the first FORD automobile was assembled at the plant on Mack Avenue here in the Motor City.

1908 Ford Motor Company Ad