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| After the model T Ford was done with modern life. Intellectually (and often physically) he remained in his idol, the idyllic Greenfield Village of uncomplicated 19th century rural virtues. |
In watching a PBS American
Experience documentary* about
Henry Ford I was struck by our
National ambivalence about the
Contribution of those gaining
Massive wealth. Welcoming their
Inventions—railroads, steel making,
Oil distribution, automobiles,
Electricity, computers, finance
We are nonetheless resentful
When they turn their dominance
Over some technological advance
To wringing from us that enormity
Of riches due no one man. Ford’s
Story is replete with the elements
Of his flaws—so like a tragic figure
Whose greatness is the fertile
Ground of his downfall. Admired
For his cleverness with tools and
Machines he is sued for control
Of his company and in court is
Shown to be a virtual illiterate
In common historical and political
Knowledge. Humiliated but
Unbowed he recovers and goes
On to build an industrial colossus—
The River Rouge plant. Challenged
By high turnover among the
Workers at his tediously
Repetitive assembly lines he
Announces doubling their wages.
Overnight ten thousand people
Offered to become Ford employees
And take on the tedium eagerly.
Ford’s success gave him such
Power he spent massively to
Rebuild a 19th century American
Small town in the Brazilian
Jungle as part of a scheme to
Grow rubber for tires. He bid
His immigrant workers to take
Classes in English and to embody
The simple rural virtues depicted
In his company-owned films. But
Worst the power he exercised over
Others he replicated in his own
Family and rather than be a
Substantive model for his only
Son he tyrannized him repeatedly
Through schemes to recover
Control of his company,
Undercutting his attempts
To modernize management
Practices, or make peace with the
Unions. Sadly Edsel died before
His father. He suffered what was
At first thought to be ulcers (not
Unusual among Ford executives
Of that time) but it turned out to
Be stomach cancer. Ironically
Even the car that was to honor
Edsel’s memory went down in
Flames as a stylistic, sales,
And financial disaster. Ford
Didn’t revise his worldview.
He kept his hatred of Jews, of
Modern life that he had such a
A large role in making, and of
His need to control and to be
Recognized as a great innovator.
Many might envy his wealth
And power until they discover
What power and wealth allowed
Him to become.
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