Henry Ford Speaking into Thomas Edison's Ear, 1925

Summary

Thomas Edison was both a mentor and a friend to Henry Ford. While this photograph, taken in 1925, suggests the notion of Ford whispering something to Edison, reality was quite the opposite. From childhood, Edison experienced hearing loss that advanced with age. For Edison to hear him, Ford spoke loudly and directly into the inventor's ear.

Thomas Edison was both a mentor and a friend to Henry Ford. While this photograph, taken in 1925, suggests the notion of Ford whispering something to Edison, reality was quite the opposite. From childhood, Edison experienced hearing loss that advanced with age. For Edison to hear him, Ford spoke loudly and directly into the inventor's ear.

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

1925

Creators

Ford Motor Company. Engineering Photographic Department 

Place of Creation

United States, Michigan, Dearborn 

Creator Notes

Photographed by Ford Motor Company Photographic Department.

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

84.1.1660.P.188.5610

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 8 in

Width: 10 in

Inscriptions

Printed caption on front reads: HENRY FORD AND THOMAS A. EDISON

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