In 1896, Henry Ford completed work on his first automobile—the Quadricycle. It wasn’t much more than four bicycle wheels strapped to a four-horsepower engine, but at the time it was a major breakthrough.
Today, it’s hard to find many commonalities between that antiquated machine and contemporary Ford models with radar sensors, advanced manufacturing process, on-board computers and other modern conveniences.
The one thing that has remained consistent though, after more than 119 years, is Ford’s drive for technical innovation—it was just as synonymous with Henry Ford as it is with the company that bears his name today.
Henry Ford and Henry Ford II pose with the 1896 Quadricycle in this photo taken in 1946
A better way to make a best-seller
Twelve years after revolutionizing travel with the Quadricycle, Henry Ford introduced the iconic Model T. His company would eventually sell 15 million of them, making the Model T one of the best-selling vehicles of all time. And with good reason—Ford’s Model T was the first automobile designed to handle the unpredictability of early 20th century roads. At the time, most of North American roadways were unpaved, leaving travellers to contend with difficult, uneven terrain (and wishing they had a vehicle better equipped to handle it). Ford saw an opportunity and ruggedized critical parts of the Model T with vanadium steel alloy, while also making the vehicle easy to repair and maintain.
After seeing the huge demand for the Model T, Ford pioneered another technological first in 1913—this time with manufacturing. The company instituted a moving assembly line where workers stayed in position as the vehicle moved past them. This new method reduced the Model T’s construction time from more than 12 hours to a mere 1.5 hours. With this innovation, the world caught its first glimpse of modern manufacturing.
The birth of power setting the standard for safety
Nineteen years later, in 1932, the company democratized power when Ford engineers revealed the first-of-its-kind flathead V8 engine. With it, customers could get their hands on an affordable and powerful engine that would inspire the dreams of generations of hot rodders to come.
The 1950s proved to be an exciting time for automotive safety as well—Ford began performing crash tests, while also making available features such as seat belts, child safety locks, and padded steering wheels and dashboards.
Research on air bags began soon after, heralding in a new era of safety that would bring about innovative technology including 1969’s introduction of Sure-Track—a Ford anti-lock braking system designed to help vehicles come to a smooth, fast stop even on slick roads.
A little help from electronic brains
Computer technology found a home in Ford vehicles beginning in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It started with electronic controls that improved engine performance and diagnostic systems that monitored for problems and engine oil life.
But it wasn’t just the vehicles that were starting to become high-tech. Advances started to take hold throughout the company, from vehicle design to manufacturing. In just one example, Ford engineers in 1986 started experimenting with 3-D printing, a brand new way to build component prototypes during the design stage. They brought in a machine called the SLA 3 – only the third 3-D printer ever made – allowing Ford to quickly try out new designs for parts before going into full production.
Onboard computers gradually found their way into all of the vehicle’s systems, and then to augment the driving experience. By 2007, Ford had started offering Sync, an integrated connectivity platform created with Microsoft that allows drivers to control climate, entertainment, and navigation systems with their voice. And early innovations in designing new vehicles have also blossomed into advanced research and design projects: the company’s first dip into 3-D printing almost 30 years ago has now grown into a full 3-D printing laboratory, with a number of different types of computer-controlled additive manufacturing machines buzzing 24 hours a day.
Ford Sync infotainment system was introduced in 2007
Breathing easier
Ford has long looked to decrease the environmental impacts of its vehicles—this commitment to green thinking has also been the motivation behind technological advancements including the introduction of the monolithic catalytic converter (designed to scrub smog-causing tailpipe emissions) in 1973, and a fully electric Ford Ranger in 1996.
The Ford Ranger EV (Electric Vehicle) was available from 1998 – 2002
In another industry first, Ford also led the way by building a hydrogen refueling station in 1999. This project’s early efforts have become more fully realized over time, and in 2009 the automaker once more changed the game by introducing the EcoBoost line of engines—made to deliver significantly better fuel efficiency without sacrificing power.
Advances in materials have recently unlocked a new era in vehicle manufacturing—one that is ushering in savings for the environment and for customers. Company engineers revolutionized the makeup of 2015 F-150s, replacing heavy structural metals with newly perfected aluminum alloy and high-strength steel. This change makes a tougher truck that is more resistant to impact while improving fuel efficiency by dropping a few hundred pounds of overall weight.
And it’s not just new metal alloys that are getting their time in the spotlight: the future is bright for a range of advanced materials in Ford vehicles. The company is working with DowAksa to produce carbon fiber efficiently and affordably. Currently, the high-strength, lightweight material can only be produced in low volume, making it available only for aerospace and high-end racecars like the Ford GT. Cheaper mass production will soon bring carbon fiber’s safety, performance and fuel-efficiency improvements to the rest of the company’s vehicle lineup.
