Henry Ford

Hello. My name is Henry Ford. I was born on a farm in a place called Michigan a long, long time ago, in the year 1863. I liked the farm, but I loved machines more than anything. I was always curious about how things worked. I even took my friend’s watch apart just to see all the tiny pieces inside. Then, I carefully put it all back together so it would tick-tock again.

I had a very big dream. I wanted to build a 'horseless carriage,' which is a car that can move all by itself without a horse. In 1896, I spent my time working in a little brick shed behind my house. It was there that I built my very first car. I called it the Quadricycle because it had four bicycle wheels. It didn't have a steering wheel like cars do now. To steer it, you used a tiller, which is like the handle on a boat. My wife, Clara, was so excited to see it. But when I was finished, the car was too big to get out the door. I had to knock down a part of the brick wall just to take it for its first drive.

My first car was so much fun, but I wanted to make cars that everyone could have, not just people with lots of money. In 1903, I started a company called the Ford Motor Company to build cars for everybody. In 1908, we made a very special car that was simple and strong. We called it the Model T. It was a wonderful car that could go almost anywhere, helping families travel and see new things.

I lived to be 83 years old, and I was so happy to see my dream come true. My idea helped people all over the world. Today, when you see cars, trucks, and buses on the road, you can remember me, Henry. I helped give the world wheels so everyone could travel and explore.