Molded Soybean Gearshift Knobs in Ford Assembly Process, 1940

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Artifact Overview

Starting in 1931, Henry Ford invested much money and research into soybeans. He viewed the crop as a bridge between agriculture and industry. Based on this work, soy-based materials were incorporated into Ford Motor Company vehicles. Soybean oil was used in body enamels, for example, while soy meal was used in the plastic for gear shift knobs and horn buttons.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

23 August 1935

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

P.188.13376

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: 8.25 in
Width: 10 in

Molded Soybean Gearshift Knobs in Ford Assembly Process, 1940