LET'S TALK RUSTY IRON

Despite those wisecracks, most Model T owners thought their Flivvers were dependable vehicles. One farmer's will specified that he be buried in his Model T 'because it's gotten me out of every hole I've ever been in.' Like all early automobiles, the Model T certainly had its faults. Yet, Henry Ford successfully put America on wheels by producing a dependable car that was affordable for farmers and workingmen alike.

In the process, Henry Ford became a very rich man, but the Model T wasn't his only contribution to the industrial revolution. He also developed the moving assembly line to build cars, and introduced enlightened labor practices, such as paying workers $5 for an eight-hour day, which began in 1914 to the horror of other auto makers. As a result of the $5 wage announcement, Ford became so famous that some wanted him to run for president as a Democrat.

While Ford himself was not the least bit interested, the possibility gave rise to yet another joke by Will Rogers. 'Ford could get elected president all right. He'd only have to make one speech, 'Voters, if I'm elected I'll change the front [of the Model T].' FC

- Sam Moore became interested in agricultural machinery growing up on a farm in western Pennsylvania. He now lives in Salem, Ohio, and collects antique tractors, implements and related items.

Now I don't know but I believe I'm right the auto's ruined the country; Let's get back to the horse and buggy and try to save some money. 'You can talk about your evangelists you can talk about Mr. Ford too; But Henry's shaking more hell out of the folks than all the evangelists do.'

-Lyrics from the song Jordan Am A Hard Road To Travel by Dan Emmett, author of Dixie, written about the turn of the 20th century.