Celebrating 90 -- Collecting through the Decades: 1940s

In 1940, a cartoon appeared in newspapers around the country. It emphasized Henry Ford's interest in artifacts from everyday life. Text beneath an image of Ford holding a woman's shoe read, "…he gets a whale of a kick out of collecting a sample of every type of shoe ever made in the U.S.!" In response, donations from readers--including this pair of wedding shoes worn in 1864--poured in. -Saige Jedele, Associate Curator, Digital Content

As word spread of Henry Ford's historical endeavors, people offered him objects that they themselves had gathered. In 1941, Ethel Douglas sent Ford over 2500 objects "collected in several years travel." Many of these--toys, games, clothing, dolls, and books--related to childhood, including this slate. Millions of kids used slates like this one in 19th century one-room schools. Henry Ford was one. -Jeanine Head Miller, Curator of Domestic Life

This is the first attempt at a mass-produced, comfortable chair. The seat is supported by a series of springs which "gives" with the weight of the sitter. Dating to 1852, this version was intended to smooth out the inevitable bumps for passengers riding in a railroad car. Donated by the Michigan Central Railroad in 1941, the revolutionary nature of the technology was yet to be recognized by scholars. -Charles Sable, Curator of Decorative Arts

The Henry Ford’s contemporary collecting--of recent or present-day artifacts--dates back to the start. Henry Ford eagerly accepted Igor Sikorsky's VS-300A helicopter in 1943--a mere four years after its first test flight. Like Sikorsky, Ford understood the helicopter's enormous potential. The gift was initiated by a mutual friend of Ford's and Sikorsky's: Charles Lindbergh. -Matt Anderson, Curator of Transportation

Henry Ford began his first restoration project in 1919, restoring his dilapidated childhood home to how it looked in 1876, the year his mother died. This included excavating the original site for ceramic shards in order to reproduce wares from his earlier life. The Ford home and its contents weren't moved to Greenfield Village until 1944--the last building Ford personally had moved there. -Ryan Jelso, Associate Curator, Digital Content

George W. Carver and Henry Ford shared an interest in chemurgy--the chemical transformation of agricultural commodities into byproducts such as hydrogenated oils. Ford invited Carver to speak at the 1937 chemurgy conference in Dearborn. In 1942, Ford honored Carver with this replica of Carver's birthplace, paneled in wood from every state, donated by the Boy Scouts of America. -Debra A. Reid, Curator of Agriculture and the Environment

Henry Ford was an admirer of Gandhi's selfless life, self-reliant ideals and nonviolent principles. In July 1941, Henry Ford wrote a short note to Gandhi praising the "lofty work" of the Indian leader. Gandhi returned the compliment and sent a spinning wheel, or charkha, that he had used. Gandhi used the charkha as a symbol in India's struggle for independence and economic self-sufficiency. -Andy Stupperich, Associate Curator, Digital Content

Henry Ford received hundreds of gifts from admirers all around the world. Many of these gifts were made intricately and carefully by hand, like this embroidery sampler crafted by Ms. Ellen E. Merrow of Eagle Springs, North Carolina. The embroidered verse is a cautionary message that still feels relevant today--more than 75 years later. -Katherine White, Associate Curator, Digital Content