Get a feel for what the Ford assembly plant was like with this set of postcards from 1917.

 

Check out the precarious perch for the “movie man” with nothing to hang onto except the tripod. No barriers or restraints to get in the way of the shot.

Belt injuries could be quickly treated at the factory hospital. All workers were taught English so they could describe their lacerated and burned appendages to the doctors.

The Ford Band had to play pretty loud to be heard over the machinery. I wondered if they traveled to different assembly areas, or perhaps they encouraged participation in the English classes by playing “Name That Tune.”

Actually, this set of postcards is fascinating. Also impressive is the quality of the color reproductions. This printing technique was developed in Germany.

Thanks to Bill Porter.

 

Click the first image to enlarge. Use the arrow keys to navigate through the slide show.

3 Comments
  1. M W Gregory

    Thank you so much for posting these great postcards! These are wonderful pictorial artifacts of history and so fascinating to see how far we have come in technology in 100 years. My family is and always has been a Ford/Lincoln/Mercury family. Still, the best automobiles designed & built in the world.

  2. Harry Risher

    Awesome pictorial history of America’s Ford Motor Company and it’s record-setting development of the American Auto Industry through wise use of the modern factory system. American owned Ford Motor Company is still leading the way over 100 years later! Ford Motor Company has been good for America since 1903–DRIVE ONE!!

  3. Steve Hallien

    Great post cards. There will never be another Henry.

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