1920s Automobiles
Henry Ford was one of the most powerful industrialists in America. Ford revolutionized the American automobile industry but he did not invent the car, many were built way before his time. Their were many types of cars built like steam powered cars, electric etc. Ford decided to use combustion engines to power a car. So by doing that, he made cars useable as well as affordable. The Automobile industry boomed, effectively changing the economy in both the United States and the world.
Henry Ford was born on July 30th, 1863 in Greenfield Township, Michigan. Ford’s father gave him a watchpiece in his early teens. When he was 15, Ford took apart and reassembled watches for the local neighbors and family. He gained the reputation
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Social by at first only the rich being able to buy one. “Society is concerned with the relations of technology to science, politics and economic change” (A&E) and Ford’s developments really changed society. But as years went on the cars being more affordable for everyone. Boosted would be an understatement for what the automobile did for the economy. Sales rocketed like nothing before. Taxes on roads were being put into place as well as tax on gas increasing to about a dollar a year. Cars being manufactured in Europe were made so cheaply but the US took over the manufacturing of cars is caused a great political view for the US. Ford utilized the assembly line to make his production faster and his prices lower …show more content…
The automobile became extremely popular fast because of the ability to travel places quickly. It mostly boomed after WW1 when many soldiers were coming back from war that had money and as well as the women because they took over jobs during the war. The automobile even helped the US in their war effort by developing the jeep to travel while at war. For this reason the Ford Motor Company began “Growing during the boom period after WWI” (Impact). Ford gave families the opportunity to travel cheap, far and quick. Families flocked to his Model T and later, his Model A for the opportunity to explore. Ford provided a huge boost to the economy after the war because the US was fairly in debt from the war effort (and from the devastating effects of the great depression). Ford provided jobs and consumer products that stimulated the economy, once again increasing the value of the dollar
The end of World War 1 left a big impact in economy. So, they decided to shift place to the economy transitioned from wartime production to peacetime production. They started that by running the economy to a better condition. Henry Ford’s company produced automobile and the latest of those product is the new Model T which were sold cheaply so many American could afford them. As a result, State funded programs to build roads and highways which changed the America’s landscape.
There were many noticeable components that contributed to the advancement and growth of the United States such as: industrialization, the Great Depression, and war. Of the many occurrences, technology had the single greatest impact on the continued evolution of the United States. The new inventions, new discoveries, and new innovation led to greater economic growth and wealth that the American people experienced during 1920-1940. One invention that influenced and continues to impact American lives is the automobile. Kyvig (2002) has argued that automobile ownership tripled during the 1920s, and by the end of the decade four families out of five owned an automobile.
World War II greatly stimulated America’s economy by creating millions of jobs and nearly wiping out unemployment. Due to high levels of industrial outs, wages were also increased. Since WWII caused the economy to grow rapidly, things started to change within American society. WWII had a major influence on changing American society because the growth it caused in the economy allowed African Americans and women to seek new opportunities. Since the men were away fight in WWII, women had to take over as industrial workers in factories.
Which ultimately contributes to the idea of how the optimism of the 1920s fueled the growing economy of new products. It is possible to link the exponential growth to that of the aid provided by the United States government to companies all across the nation. “The American government provided generous financial support to American businesses during the war, which spurred the growth of technologically advanced manufacturing throughout the country. Those industries most helped were automobile, aircraft, and radio manufacturers. These industries had existed before the war, but federal spending allowed them to grow into massive operations that employed thousands of people.
The number of consumer products went up. There were more products being created and when there more products to buy the stores made more money and when a product is being bought there needs to be more of that product made. Factory workers had to work longer hours which means they made more money which also means they would have more to spend. Some of the new products they were creating were indoor plumbing, hygiene products, electric irons, vacuums, washing machines, and refrigerators. Ford's
As World War II was coming to a close, the United States went from a depression to a thriving economy. The war brought prosperity, and in the postwar period the United States became the world 's richest country. United States’ GDP jumped 223 percent between 1944 and 1947 from about $200 thousand million to $300 thousand million . As more and more Americans were becoming a part of the middle-class, the United States economy was growing. Economic growth had many affects on American life such as rising living standards, agricultural hardships, and a newly emerging American culture.
The 1950’s were good times in America. The boom in the economy from World War II continued into the 1950’s. Consumer spending soared, wages were above average, and new technologies created more desires. (Shultz, 2104). The leading excitement in the economy was purchasing an automobile; furthermore, all classes of society could afford purchasing an automobile.
The period of the twentieth century, specifically the nineteen-twenties, was a historically significant event in history due to the dramatic changes politically and socially. In this time period there was many altercations between two specific groups who had completely different outlooks on change. Modernists, or people who tended to be in favor of new ideas, styles and social trends, embraced the idea of change during this time period whereas traditionalist, or people who are opposed to change, had deep respect for long held cultural and religious values that they believed should not be broken under any circumstances. The disputes between the traditionalist and modernist over religious beliefs made way into the woman’s lives leaving pop culture
Ford changed the price of his Model T's from 850 dollars to 600 dollars. Soon Ford's sales went from 18,000 to a astonishing 168,000 cars being sold. Something you probably couldnt do anywhere else where the free enterprise system wasn't mainstream. Ford was able to revolutionize the auto industry and with many choices from himself whether it be to hire this many people or buy this many parts for his
However, automobiles like the Chevrolet, the Rambler and the Hudson Hornet were huge successes when it came to consumerism in the economy. Manufacturers in the automobile industry, would make small changes to every year’s model. These changes would persuade consumers to buy the new model and that they needed to update their cars every couple of years and ultimately expanded purchasing growth in the 50’s society.
Automobiles were affordable and were designed carefully. The majority of these cars were produced by the Ford Motor Company, led by Henry Ford, who designed a different model each year to satisfy the insatiable crowd. Many of the automotive innovations that we think of as being modern—like electric powered cars, four wheel drive, front wheel drive, hybrid fuel and electric cars—were introduced during the 1920s. The automobiles had various different colors in order to get the attention of people, especially woman, and through time, they evolved to become more comfortable to drive for men (Scott ,1). The automobiles were beneficial to the U.S because they expanded the area of habitat.
There were many changes brought about during the the time of the Westward Expansion in the United States of America. One of those changes is with the invention of the steel plow. The steel plow was one of the most revolutionary invention in the era of the Westward Expansion. This wouldn’t have been possible though with out John Deere. John Deere and the invention of the steel plow has brought a big positive impact during the time of the Westward Expansion and still today.
As companies were easing back from the war-time economy, people were buying more things. As the elected presidents of that time gave tax cuts and vetoed bills in their favor, companies were growing. With the growth of companies, their workers were getting higher wages and more people were employed, giving them excess money. More money meant that people were able to buy things previously unable to. Some of these new things were like the Model T Ford, the Band-Aid and the television.
The Rise of the Automobile in 1920s in The Great Gatsby Perhaps no invention affected American everyday life in the 20th century more than the automobile. The invention and improvement of the automobile not only changed the America society, but also the whole world. The rapidly growing automobile industry led by Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company produced new and better models every year to supply the insatiable public demand. Increased wages and lower cost vehicles made possible through mass production meant that cars became increasingly affordable, although 3 out of 4 cars were bought on installment plans.
The American Dream consists of being successful at whatever you dream of doing. Henry Ford fulfilled his American dream by starting his own car company from nothing. Although he had many obstacles and challenges, he never gave up. The creation of automobiles and the invention of the assembly line by Henry Ford helped the american dream of growing up to be so influential that goal can be obtained through hard work and determination.