Wanted 5 or 10 minute Educational lesson on impact of Model T or assembly line

[Hap_Tucker]

Bottom Line Up Front:

Our local South Carolina Model T chapter is going to show their T’s to a local college that has an automobile history class (or similar title). Feb 2 or sometime close to that is the date.

Do any of you know of a 5 or 10 minute presentation with PowerPoint slides or pictures that I might be able to download or borrow?

Additional details :

I thought our Model T Ford Club of America had an educational package we might borrow, but apparently, I remembered that wrong. I looked on the Model T Ford Club International website but I did not see anything listed there. I may have just missed it? I could swear one of the major clubs mentioned a similar educational package for clubs to borrow. Or maybe it was the Model A Club?
I have looked at the ones below. They are good but one of them 2 hours long etc.

Henry Ford Museum has some good information – but several hours long.
https://ophelia.sdsu.edu:8443/henryford ... igiKit.pdf

Ford corporate website
https://corporate.ford.com//articles/hi ... mbly-line/

3/11/2021
Highland Park
https://corporate.ford.com/articles/his ... land-park/

9/16/2020
The Model T
The Model T is Ford’s universal car that put the world on wheels.
https://corporate.ford.com/articles/his ... e-model-t/

I even went to one link that looked promising but my antivirus said “You don’t want to go there…”
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The Google AI had a good outline that I may use and add some photos and maybe make a correction or two. It is shown below:

AI Overview

The Model T assembly line revolutionized manufacturing by slashing production time (from 12+ hours to 93 mins), making cars affordable for the masses (price dropped from $850 to ~$260). Its impact included creating the middle class, boosting related industries (steel, oil), fueling suburban growth, increasing GDP, and transforming America into a car-centric nation, all thanks to mass production, division of labor, and interchangeable parts.
________________________________________
Presentation Outline: The Impact of the Model T Assembly Line
Slide 1: Title Slide
• Title: The Car That Changed the World: The Model T & The Assembly Line Revolution
• Subtitle: How Ford's Innovation Created Modern Manufacturing & America
• Image: Classic Model T or a shot of the Highland Park assembly line

Slide 2: The Problem: Cars Were Luxury Items
• Before the Model T, cars were handcrafted, expensive, and for the wealthy.
• Henry Ford's goal: A durable, simple, affordable car for everyone.

Slide 3: The Innovation: The Moving Assembly Line (1913)
• Concept: Inspired by meatpacking plants, moving the car to stationary workers.
• Key Elements:
o Division of Labor: Workers did one small task repeatedly.
o Interchangeable Parts: Standardized parts made assembly quick.
o Conveyor System: Reduced worker movement, sped up process.

Slide 4: Dramatic Efficiency Gains
• Assembly Time: Reduced from over 12 hours to 93 minutes.
• Productivity: Increased exponentially, enabling mass production.

Slide 5: Economic Impact: Affordability & Growth
• Price Drop: From $850 (1908) to $260 (1924).
• Mass Market: Cars became accessible to average families, fostering the middle class.
• Economic Boom: Contributed to the booming 1920s economy, increased GDP.

Slide 6: Societal Transformation
• Mobility: The "universal car" put America on wheels.
• Suburbs & Highways: Cars enabled suburban growth and the need for better roads.
• New Industries: Birth of gas stations, auto repair, steel, petroleum, fast food.

Slide 7: Labor & Working Conditions
• $5 Day Wage (1914): High wages attracted workers, giving them money to buy cars.
• Standardized Work: Repetitive tasks, but shorter hours and better pay.

Slide 8: The Model T's Legacy
• The "Tin Lizzie": Nicknamed for its durability and simplicity.
• Global Reach: Ford plants spread globally, making cars international.
• Foundation of Modern Industry: Set the standard for mass production worldwide.

Slide 9: Conclusion: A Revolution in a Box
• The Model T assembly line wasn't just about cars; it was a blueprint for modern life, changing how we work, live, and travel.
________________________________________
Key Takeaways for Your Presentation
• Focus on the "Why": Explain why the assembly line worked (efficiency, cost, standardization).
• Use Visuals: Pictures of the assembly line, Model T, and graphs showing price drops are powerful.
• Connect the Dots: Link the assembly line to broader societal changes (suburbs, middle class).
++++++++++++++++++++

And if it turns out good – we can give it to our MTFCA so they can loan it out it someone needs it in the future.

Thank you for any leads or help you may have.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off

[michaelb2296]

I dont know Hap, but this quick video on youtube is AI generated that is pretty awesome!

https://m.youtube.com/shorts/1fT1kU07UHs

[TXGOAT2]

Ford created a lot of film productions relating to factory operations. I don't know if that material, or excerpts, is available today in some accessible form.

[Daisy Mae]

Great project, but I certainly hope ya'll end up with a good audience. While all your draft slides paint positives, today's world is steeped in rewriting history, focusing on negatives, or virtue signaling applying todays perceptions to cancel those of yesterday.

My son did the same kind of report about Ford using my TT as a prop at his JayCee, and he was quickly torn down with Ford representing all that was bad, environmental destruction, negative affects of ICE cars, capitalism, anti-Jew Nazi sympathizer...boy was he quickly torn down. And...this was 17 years ago, nowhere near the college environment that exists today.

Good luck!!! But do let us know how it turns out!

[TXGOAT2]

Henry Ford did more to raise common people out of poverty and drudgery than any 1000 politicians ever did, and he did not force anyone to do business with his company. As for the "environment", can you image a major city today with no motor vehicles, only animal traction and horse riders? Try to imagine a major city.... or a small village, for that matter, without the benefits of combustion power for transportation, electric power, HVAC, water and sewer infrastructure, modern hospitals, and much more. Fools abound, and some of them are very vocal, and very self-righteous, and very much inclined to TYRANNY!!!

[Daisy Mae]

Pat,
Ya don't have to sell me, I stand with ya.
I'm not of the younger cancel culture revisionist mindset.
I was very disheartened for my son, which caused me to wonder what kind of reception something like this would get in today's college environment after the sh** show my son received 17 yrs ago!
Or, providing the presenters to be so forewarned to that potential, and/or prepared to provide counterpoint/context.
I always had a rule when I was a presenter, "know your audience".

[Hap_Tucker]

Michael, thank you for the link to the AI generated video. I agree with you it is nicely done. I liked it better with the music turned off – but not everyone enjoys country music…. To save time if someone wants to view it, here is the link again.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1fT1kU07UHs

Pat – yes, Ford did do many movies and still shots of his factories, cars, and later B-24 airplanes etc. I need to find the boxes of my Ford books that I packed up when we were having our house remodeled. They had some really good photos along with the explanation of what was going on.

Kurt – thank you for sharing your son’s experience. Sorry, it turned out to be a tough crowd. I’m hoping that since this is a “History of the Automobile Class” ( or something real close to that title) that the folks are more interested in the positive impact Henry Ford had on putting America and the world for that matter, on wheels. If it doesn’t turn out to be positive for both them and out SC club, they probably won’t invite us back to share with future classes.

Thank you for the inputs. And we will keep you posted on how it turns out. And who knows, someone may see the posting and say “Our club did that in 2024 or something and the material is available at……”

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off

[Steve Jelf]

I haven't searched YouTube, but I have seen a couple of videos there about Ford and the Model T. I would preview any of those with a skeptical eye and ear to note any baloney content that may have crept in. You may find mismatched words and pictures, and a random mix of film shots from the teens and twenties. You may want to correct any of said baloney that rears its addled head.

[Daisy Mae]

While we no longer have an active Model T or A club here on the panhandle, we do have an FSU Branch here in Panama City. I did my fair share as an Engineering Instructer with AT&T and would love to offer something like this. I for one would certainly be interested in your material.
There HAS to be others around here with a T or A, but I've only personally met one with an A so far. I've been in contact with the ex President of the disbanded club, but not yet met.