As reported by Design News in the article, “Ford Innovated the Assembly Line 100 Years Ago. Now, Ford Has a Better Idea,” Ford Motor Company’s innovative approach to the assembly line has driven a century of transformation in automotive manufacturing. Although Henry Ford did not invent the moving assembly line, he is credited with revolutionizing it to produce the affordable Model T, turning automobiles from luxury items into products accessible to millions. Ford’s efficiency model, inspired by industries like brewing and steel, redefined car production starting in 1913 with a rudimentary 150-foot rope-and-winch system at the Highland Park Assembly plant.
By streamlining car production, Ford was able to reduce assembly time per vehicle from over 12 hours to fewer than three hours, allowing mass production at unprecedented scales. This efficiency enabled Ford to reduce prices drastically, with the Model T’s cost dropping from $600 in 1912 to $360 by 1916. Ford’s adaptation of assembly technology made the production of vehicles like the Model T practical and affordable, sparking a transportation revolution.
Fast forward to today, Ford is moving beyond traditional linear assembly lines toward new technologies and systems. These advanced production systems echo early cart-based conveyance methods but are now outfitted with modern automation and tracking, facilitating flexibility and further enhancing efficiency in the production process.
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Article with all rights reserved, courtesy of Design News.