Edsel Ford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edsel Ford
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Ford in 1921
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| Born |
Edsel Bryant Ford
November 6, 1893 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
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| Died | May 26, 1943 (aged 49) |
| Occupation | Automobile executive |
| Title | President of the Ford Motor Company (1919–1943) |
| Spouse(s) |
Eleanor Lowthian Clay
(m. 1916) |
| Children | |
| Parent(s) | Henry Ford Clara Jane Bryant Ford |
| Relatives | Edsel Ford II (grandson) William Clay Ford Jr. (grandson) |
Edsel Bryant Ford (born November 6, 1893 – died May 26, 1943) was an important American business leader. He was the only child of Henry Ford, who started the Ford Motor Company. Edsel was the president of Ford Motor Company from 1919 until he passed away in 1943.
Edsel worked closely with his father. He was the only person who would inherit the family business. But Edsel wanted to make cars that were more exciting than the famous Model T. He had a hard time convincing his father to change the car designs.
Eventually, the market changed, and Edsel was able to create the more stylish Model A in 1927. Edsel also started the Mercury car brand. He was also behind the designs of the Lincoln-Zephyr and Lincoln Continental. He added important features like hydraulic brakes. Edsel also made Ford's car production much stronger in other countries.
Ford was a big supporter of art in Detroit. He also helped pay for Admiral Richard Byrd's trips to the North and South Poles. Edsel died at age 49 from stomach cancer. After his death, his father, Henry Ford, became president again for a short time. Then, Edsel's oldest son, Henry Ford II, took over as president in 1945.
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Edsel's Early Life and Career
Edsel Ford was born in November 1893 in Detroit. He was the only child of Clara and Henry Ford. He was named after Edsel Ruddiman, a close friend of his father.
Edsel was prepared from a young age to take over the family car business. He grew up working on cars with his father. In 1915, he became the secretary of Ford. On November 1, 1916, he married Eleanor Lowthian Clay. She was the niece of a department store owner named J. L. Hudson.
Edsel and Eleanor had four children together. Their names were Henry Ford II (born 1917), Benson Ford (born 1919), Josephine Clay Ford (born 1923), and William Clay Ford (born 1925). They lived in a home in the Indian Village area of Detroit.
Edsel went to The Hotchkiss School and the Detroit University School. His family gave money to both schools. The library at Hotchkiss is called the Edsel Ford Memorial Library.
Designing New Cars
Edsel Ford was more interested than his father in making cars look stylish. He showed this interest when Ford bought the Lincoln Motor Company in 1922. He loved sports cars. Edsel even bought the first MG car brought into the United States.
In 1932, he had a special car designed just for him. It was an aluminum, boat-tailed speedster. It was made by Ford's first designer, E. T. (Bob) Gregorie. This car had Ford's brand-new V8 engine. This was the first affordable eight-cylinder engine.
After becoming president of Ford, Edsel wanted to replace the Model T with a more modern car. But his father often said no. Finally, Ford's share of the car market got smaller. This made it clear that a new model was needed. This new car became the Model A.
During the design of the Model A in 1927, Henry Ford made sure the car was strong and reliable. He let Edsel work on the car's body with designer József Galamb. Edsel also convinced his father to add four-wheel mechanical brakes. He also added a new type of transmission to the Model A. The Model A was very successful. Over four million cars were sold in four years.
As president, Edsel Ford often disagreed with his father on big decisions. Sometimes, his father even embarrassed him in public. Despite this, their relationship was close. Edsel brought many lasting changes to the company. He started the Mercury car brand and gave it its name. He was also responsible for the Lincoln-Zephyr and Continental cars. He greatly improved Ford's car production in other countries. He also made Ford's cars more modern by adding things like hydraulic brakes.
Ford's Role in World War II
Edsel was a big supporter of airplanes from early on. He insisted that the Ford company should build planes. His father first disagreed, as he didn't see how planes could be used for business. But Edsel's idea proved right when the company had great success carrying airmail for the U.S. Post Office.
Because of Edsel's vision, Ford was able to help build many airplanes during World War II. This was a critical need for the country.
Building Bombers at Willow Run
The Ford Motor Company played a very important part in making weapons for the U.S. during World War II. With Edsel leading the company, Ford aimed to produce one bomber every hour. This happened at Ford's huge Willow Run factory complex. The B-24 bomber was built there. Some people say that the stress of this big job made Edsel very sick.
Death and Legacy
Edsel Ford became ill with stomach cancer and another illness called undulant fever. The cancer had spread, so surgery was not successful. Edsel died in 1943 at his home in Grosse Pointe Shores. He was 49 years old.
In his will, Edsel donated all his non-voting stock to the Ford Foundation. He had started this foundation with his father seven years earlier. Edsel is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit.
Each of Edsel Ford's children received a large share of the Ford Motor Company. All three of his sons worked in the family business. After Edsel's death, his father briefly became president of Ford again. Then, Edsel's son, Henry Ford II, became president of the company on September 21, 1945.
Edsel Ford was one of the most important supporters of art in Detroit's history. He was president of the Detroit Arts Commission. He asked the famous artist Diego Rivera to paint the Detroit Industry Murals at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA). Edsel was also one of the first people to collect African art. His donations became a main part of the DIA's original African art collection. After he died, his family continued to give important art to the museum.
He also helped pay for trips of discovery. This included the historic flight of Admiral Richard Byrd over the North Pole in 1926. Byrd also explored Antarctica. Edsel helped pay for these trips too. Admiral Byrd named the Edsel Ford Range of mountains after him. Other places in Antarctica named after Edsel include Ford Massif, Ford Nunataks, and Ford Peak.
Interstate 94 in the Detroit area is called the Edsel Ford Freeway.
In September 1957, Ford Motor Company introduced a new line of cars called Edsel. The Edsel cars included models like the Citation, Corsair, and Pacer. The Edsel car brand is remembered as a big business failure. The cars sold fairly well in their first year. But the Edsel brand was stopped soon after the 1960 models came out.
Edsel and Eleanor Ford House
In 1929, the Ford family moved into their new home called Gaukler Point. It was designed by Albert Kahn. The house was built on the shores of Lake St. Clair in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan. The estate's gardens were designed by landscape architect Jens Jensen. He designed them to have a long view. This let visitors see the house from far away across a long meadow.
Jens Jensen also designed the gardens for Edsel and Eleanor's summer home. This home was called Skylands and was in Seal Harbor, Maine. Jensen also designed gardens for two other Ford homes in Michigan. One of these was Haven Hill. Haven Hill is now part of the Highland Recreation Area. It is a Michigan State Historical Landmark and a State Natural Preserve. Jensen's garden designs mix beauty, history, and nature.
Edsel Ford died at Gaukler Point in 1943. His wife Eleanor continued to live there until she died in 1976. She wanted the property to be used "for the benefit of the public." The Edsel and Eleanor Ford House is now open to visitors. The property is 87 acres (35.2 ha) large. The house has a great collection of the Fords' original antiques and art. The historical landscape grounds are beautiful and sit by the lake. The museum offers tours, classes, talks, and special events. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Images for kids
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Ford in 1921
See also
In Spanish: Edsel Bryant Ford para niños
- Ford family tree
- Edsel and Eleanor Ford House
