Henry Ford was born in Michigan in 1863 and died in the same state in 1947 at the age of 83.
He was the the founder of the Ford Motor Company, and famously developed the concept of the assembly line technique of mass production. He did not invent the concept and he did not invent the automobile, but he applied new techniques of production that enabled many middle class Americans to purchase an affordable product.
Ford transformed the automobile from an expensive curiosity into a practical vehicle that would have a profound impact on the twentieth century. His introduction of the Model T automobile revolutionized transportation.
Perhaps Henry Ford’s most quoted saying is the oft repeated “History is Bunk.”
Those were not the exact words but the meaning was the same. Another much quoted saying was “People can have the Model T in any color – so long as it’s black”. Again, while this was true at the time he said it, the Model T was produced in other colors soon after its launch.
Our LifeDaily team decided to ignore Henry Ford’s notorious anti-Semitism and the fact that he was the publisher of antisemitic texts, such as the book “The International Jew,” and focus instead on his motivational sayings.
Browse this selection of Henry Ford quotes to better understand his business philosophy:
- My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.
- Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it.
- If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.
- Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.
- Don’t find fault, find a remedy.
- Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.
- A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business.
- When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.
- One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do.
- Most people spend more time and energy going around problems than in trying to solve them.
- An idealist is a person who helps other people to be prosperous.
- Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.
- It is not the employer who pays the wages. Employers only handle the money. It is the customer who pays the wages.
- Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.
- You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do.
So, these quotes show the side of Henry Ford the businessman.
Is your opinion of Henry Ford or his cars influenced by his political views? For example, he was also a pacifist in the first World War and opposed America’s entry into the war.
What do you think of his business philosophy? You can use the comments feed below to express your views.
