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- Archibald Johnston, Manager of Fordlandia, 1938 - In 1928, Henry Ford established Fordlandia in the Brazilian rainforest to supply rubber for automobile production. By 1931, tensions over working and living conditions among the indigenous workers required Ford to send Archibald Johnston to manage the plantation. Under Johnston's leadership, Fordlandia turned into a typical American town--fit with specialty stores, standardized roads, and modern homes that had access to water and electricity.

- October 31, 1930
- Collections - Artifact
Archibald Johnston, Manager of Fordlandia, 1938
In 1928, Henry Ford established Fordlandia in the Brazilian rainforest to supply rubber for automobile production. By 1931, tensions over working and living conditions among the indigenous workers required Ford to send Archibald Johnston to manage the plantation. Under Johnston's leadership, Fordlandia turned into a typical American town--fit with specialty stores, standardized roads, and modern homes that had access to water and electricity.
- Johnston and Weir at Rubber Tree Seedling Nursery, Fordlandia, Brazil, 1935 - Henry Ford established Fordlandia and Belterra in the Brazilian rainforest to supply rubber for automobile production. He began shipping machinery and supplies to the Amazon in 1928. Ford paid the indigenous workers good wages and supplied various amenities -- he also imposed foreign work traditions and behavioral restrictions which the workers resented. The plantations failed and Ford Motor Company disposed of the project in 1945.

- April 25, 1935
- Collections - Artifact
Johnston and Weir at Rubber Tree Seedling Nursery, Fordlandia, Brazil, 1935
Henry Ford established Fordlandia and Belterra in the Brazilian rainforest to supply rubber for automobile production. He began shipping machinery and supplies to the Amazon in 1928. Ford paid the indigenous workers good wages and supplied various amenities -- he also imposed foreign work traditions and behavioral restrictions which the workers resented. The plantations failed and Ford Motor Company disposed of the project in 1945.