Wayne Rogers
American actor (1933-2015)
Edsel Ford
American businessman (1893-1943)
Edsel Ford was the only child of Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company. He served as the company’s president from 1919 until his death in 1943, during which time he introduced important innovations and helped expand the company’s global reach. Edsel was also a renowned philanthropist and art benefactor in Detroit.
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About the Edsel Ford
Edsel Bryant Fordwas an American business executive and philanthropist who was the only child of pioneering industrialist Henry Ford and his wife, Clara Jane Bryant Ford. He was the president of Ford Motor Company from 1919 until his death in 1943.
He worked closely with his father, as sole heir to the business, but was keen to develop cars more exciting than the Model T (“Tin Lizzie”), in line with his personal tastes. Even as president, he had trouble persuading his father to allow any departure from this formula. Only a change in market conditions enabled him to develop the more fashionable Model A in 1927. Edsel also founded the Mercury division and was responsible for the Lincoln-Zephyr and Lincoln Continental. He introduced important features, such as hydraulic brakes, and greatly strengthened the company’s overseas production.
Ford was a major art benefactor in Detroit and also financed Admiral Richard Byrd’s polar explorations. He died of stomach cancer aged 49. Henry Ford temporarily reassumed the presidency of Ford on Edsel’s death, then Edsel’s eldest son, Henry Ford II, succeeded Henry as president of Ford in 1945.
He was also a member of the board of directors of American IG, the American subsidiary of the German chemical conglomerate IG Farben.
Frequently Asked Questions
Edsel Ford was an American business executive and philanthropist who was the only child of Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company. He served as the president of Ford Motor Company from 1919 until his death in 1943.
Edsel Ford served as the president of Ford Motor Company from 1919 until his death in 1943. As the sole heir to the business, he worked closely with his father, Henry Ford, to develop more exciting cars than the Model T, such as the Model A.
Edsel Ford founded the Mercury division and was responsible for the Lincoln-Zephyr and Lincoln Continental models. He also introduced important features like hydraulic brakes and greatly expanded the company’s overseas production.
Edsel Ford was keen to develop cars more exciting than the Model T, in line with his personal tastes. He was responsible for the creation of the more fashionable Model A in 1927, which helped change market conditions and the company’s direction.
Edsel Ford was a major art benefactor in Detroit and also financed Admiral Richard Byrd’s polar explorations. He was a member of the board of directors of American IG, the American subsidiary of the German chemical conglomerate IG Farben.
After Edsel Ford’s death from stomach cancer at the age of 49, his father, Henry Ford, temporarily reassumed the presidency of Ford. Later, Edsel’s eldest son, Henry Ford II, succeeded Henry as president of Ford in 1945.
Edsel Ford’s legacy at the Ford Motor Company is significant, as he introduced important innovations, expanded the company’s global reach, and laid the groundwork for the company’s future leadership under his son, Henry Ford II.