Henry Ford Got By With a Little Help From His Friends

Henry Ford is best known for inventing the Model T, the first motorized vehicle. He also revolutionized the industrial industry by creating the modern assembly line. He may owe a lot of his brilliance to being surrounded by other inventors and intellectuals throughout his life. Had Henry Ford not been influenced by an intelligent group of friends, we may not have the Ford F150. 

Thomas Edison

In 1896 Henry Ford began working as the chief engineer at the Edison Illuminating Company. This may be the reason for his budding interest in inventing and creating a horseless vehicle. By surrounding his young mind with the work ethic and genius of Thomas Edison, Henry Ford developed into a determined inventor.

John Burroughs and Harvey Firestone

Later on in Henry Ford’s life he started organized camping trips with his friend Thomas Edison, John Burroughs and Harvey Firestone. These trips may have been where the three spitballed ideas that they were working and developed new industrial methods. Having roundtables with other friends can be very useful to bounce off new ideas. Perhaps you are a small company trying to create something in the Utah ski industry — it can be useful to interact with other companies in your industry.

Inventions and Intelligence

Henry Ford understood the importance of surrounding oneself with other people that are intelligent and have a strong work ethic. This is a helpful lesson to learn even as an inventor in Utah, or a small startup trying to better an industry. Being around others that push you to be better can often lead to great things, like the Ford F150.

Friends Make You Stronger

Henry Ford’s friends probably helped him become a better inventor. By surrounding yourself with people who are trying to push the envelope of technology you will push yourself as well. The Ford F150, a beloved truck in Utah, may not have been invented if the team had not been willing to push each other to improve the design.

Lura Briggs is an automative writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Henry Day Ford. Follow on Twitter.