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Popular Research
Topics

Information for Enthusiasts and Researchers

The artifacts on display at Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village often have very interesting histories. Some of the most popular questions we field at the Benson Ford Research Center are answered below. You’ll also find more information in several other places:

  • Biographies and interviews with innovators are in Explore.
  • Information on tens of thousands of digitized artifacts are in Collections.
  • Behind-the-scenes stories on selected artifacts and exhibits are in Explore.
  • More on the history of The Henry Ford is in History & Mission.

The Henry Ford

Origins of The Henry Ford

How and why Henry Ford started what would become the premier collection of American innovation, ingenuity and resourcefulness.

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The Allegheny Locomotive

Key facts about the Allegheny Locomotive, an H-8 class train designed to pull heavy loads in the Allegheny Mountains in the mid-19th century.

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Kennedy Presidential Limousine

The history of the car in which President Kennedy was riding when he was assassinated – and why it doesn’t look like it did then.

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Historic Innovators

George Washington Carver

Born into slavery in a tiny Missouri town during the final year of the Civil War, George Washington Carver went on to become one of America’s most notable and prolific agricultural scientists.
Innovator Bio & Curator Interview 
What If 
Related Artifacts 

Thomas Edison

The extraordinarily innovative Thomas Edison remains the most prolific inventor in history.
Innovator Bio & Curator Interview 
What If 
Related Artifacts 

Rosa Parks

Many consider Rosa Parks’ singular act of protest to be the event that sparked the Civil Rights movement.
Innovator Bio & Curator Interview 
What If 
Related Artifacts 

The Wright Brothers

Learn how Orville and Wilbur Wright began an aviation revolution.
Innovator Bio & Curator Interview 
What If 
Related Artifacts 

Henry Ford

The Life of Henry Ford

Henry Ford’s ingenious approach to mass production and his $5 day were only the beginning of his legendary achievements and experiments.
Innovator Bio & Curator Interview 
What If 
Related Artifacts 

Soybean Car

Ford’s experiments with making plastic parts for automobiles out of soybeans in the early 1940s

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Henry Ford Quotations

Henry Ford was remarkably quotable. Find quotes authenticated by our staff here.

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The Vagabonds

Summer camping trips with friends Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, and John Burroughs.

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Henry Ford and Anti-Semitism: A Complex Story

Henry Ford’s unfortunate ascent into anti-Semitism can be better understood by looking at several of his influences.

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Ford Motor Company

Chronology

A detailed chronology of Ford Motor Company’s first 100 years, from 1903 to 2003.

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Ford Rubber Plantations in Brazil

Ford Motor Company’s efforts to secure a regular source of rubber resulted in the establishment of plantations in Brazil.

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Vehicle Production Records

Information on the historic vehicle production records we hold from Ford, Lincoln, and Du Pont.

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Ford Motor Company Parts Drawings

Learn more about parts drawings for Ford Motor Company, 1903–57, that are part of our collections.

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Ford Motor Company Photographic and Film Department

A history and bibliography of the output of this department, and what our collections hold.

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Ford Motor Company Sociological Department and English School

In the 1910s, Ford Motor Company established schools and codes of behavior to manage and assimilate its workers.

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Benson Ford Research Center

Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5:00pm | 313-982-6020 | research.center@thehenryford.org

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For more assistance or to ask a question, visit AskUs!
For information about our reading room, call 313-982-6020.

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