Monorail Conveyor in Ford Motor Company Highland Park Plant Machine Shop, 1914
THF110524 / Monorail Conveyor in Ford Motor Company Highland Park Plant Machine Shop, 1914
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Artifact Overview
Ford Motor Company's assembly methods depended on the fluid movement of materials to workers. At its Highland Park plant, the company used an overhead monorail conveyor to carry parts around the factory. Each electrically powered car was driven by an operator riding in the cab. More than a mile and a half of track ran throughout the factory complex.
Artifact Details
Artifact
Photographic print
Subject Date
1914
Collection Title
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
84.1.1660.P.833.809
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
Keywords |
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Related Content
SetHenry Ford: Assembly Line
- 25 Artifacts
Ford constantly tweaked Model T assembly lines at its Highland Park plant for efficiency. In 1914, wheels and radiators were conveyed to a platform and slid down ramps for installation on the same line. By 1925, wheels (with tires already mounted and inflated) were conveyed directly to workers, who installed them on both sides of the chassis at once.