It is said that in 1875, a young Ford saw the operation of a traction engine for the first time, specifically a Nichols and Shepard engine. This event likely caused him to become obsessed with transportation, but prior to that, he worked on clocks; if he had continued in that endeavour, he might have established himself as a reputable horologist and possibly invented something akin to the steam clock that is currently in use in Vancouver. His absence in the Auto Industry is more important, there's a shocking lack of discussion around him simply not being there.
what if Henry Ford never founded Ford?
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Ford worked with a bunch of other people. Someone else will probably develop a similarly successful car making company eventually.
Nikolai Tesla steps in horse manure while walking down the street, and becomes obsessed with inventing a horseless carriage powered by electricity.
I agree, 100% ford wasn't that important, it's everything else he did that is problematic
Without Ford moving the steering wheel on cars and trucks to the left-hand side with the Model T this change may be delayed or not happen.
In 1908 Henry Ford standardised the Model T as LHD in RHT America, arguing that with RHD and RHT, the passenger was obliged to "get out on the street side and walk around the car" and that with steering from the left, the driver "is able to see even the wheels of the other car and easily avoids danger."
Left- and right-hand traffic - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
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yeah, I know, either way, ford wasn't all that important to the model t, except for the initial idea, it's possible the other guy involved with the early history of ford, a scotsman by the name of alexander malcolmson, would start his own company, he wanted to build higher end cars, like the model k, in direct contrast to ford
Ford tractors figured very large in farming mechanization. The ubiquitous N series is still among the highest produced farming tractors ever. Does Ferguson get his start without Ford?
Without Ford who would the soviets copy the plans for factories in the soviet union from?
Ford signs USSR deal - This Day In Automotive History
A historic agreement between Ford Motor Company and the Soviet Union is signed on this day in 1929 stating that Ford will begin to produce cars in the USSR, which was eager to create jobs in the automotive industry. The agreement was signed in Dearborn, Michigan, by Ford executives and Valery U...
automotivehistory.org
Grey Wolf
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The absence of Ford in the market will lead to completely different dynamics among the other companies, so it's impossible to do more than play out some options. Would General Motors have bought up all the marques they did? Would Durant have been shafted,, started Chevrolet, bought out GM, then left again? Would his short-lived Durant Motors have been more viable?
What does the absence of Ford mean for WW1?
IMHO, this doesn't lead to much change, other than perhaps a few years delay (if that) in "automotive history". As mentioned previously, Ford took existing ideas and put them together and was first to market with the resulting product. Instead of Ford, its going to be someone else (the Dodge brothers? Ransom Olds?) stepping in. I do agree with another poster that we might retain "European" driving instead of switching over, depending on who takes Ford's place.