The Ford Model T

What happened

In 1908 Henry Ford introduced the Model T, a car deliberately designed to be affordable, simple, and rugged enough for ordinary people. Cheap for its day, it was an immediate success — dealers had 15,000 orders before a single car had been built — and by the end of its run in 1927 more than 15 million had been made.

Why it matters

The Model T put America, and soon the world, on wheels, turning the automobile from a rich person's toy into everyday transport.

Sources

• The Henry Ford. Ford's Model T: A Car for the Great Multitude · Reputable source