Henry Ford

In order to support his new wife Henry was forced to work the land as he ran a sawmill that was given to him by his father. His father actually attempted to bribe Henry to stay in the farming business as he gave him the land only under the condition that he would continue on as a farmer. Think of what the world would be like if Henry had stayed on as a farmer. .
             The year was 1891 when Ford was employed as an engineer with the Edison Illuminating Company, located in Detroit. This move also put an end to any chance of Ford becoming a farmer. In just two years Henry's hard work and dedication paid off as he was promoted to chief engineer. Not only was it a boost in position and confidence but it also gave him the necessary funds and time to start with his personal experiments, starting with internal combustion engines. His interest in this type of engine also shows his creative side, as he was not one to do what everyone else was doing and use the steam engine. .
             In just 5 short years of many experiments and ideas, Henry Ford completed his self-propelled Quadricycle. It appears to be a bike with an engine on it. The quadricycle had two gears, no reverse gear, four heavy bike tires, and was steered with a tiller, similar to a boat. While it was a great achievement at the time period, it was just the beginning of Henry's self-propelled vehicles. Henry was like any other entrepreneur, he had his ups and downs and it took him a few tries before he was able to run a successful business. In 1899 Ford founded the Detroit Automobile Company. It was the first car plant in Detroit, which is now known as "Motown" because of all the car plants that were and are still there, although in dwindling numbers. The Detroit Automobile Company floundered and fell under in late 1900. .
             Ford, not discouraged, took up to it again with the Henry Ford Company, founded around November of 1901. This company was brought down by an internal dispute, which brought forth Ford's resignation.