1863 - 1947
Welcome to our Game Changers.
The world moves forward because of game changers, those who see possibilities where others see limits. Across every industry, innovative organizations are transforming the way we live.
More than a faster horse
One of the most impactful innovators of the modern century, Henry Ford, who literally sparked the industrial revolution that would bring efficiencies in manufacturing so profound the world would never be the same again. The Godfather of assembly line manufacturing, the minimum wage, franchising, the 5-day work week, and inventor of the first mass-produced automobile, Henry Ford would leave a significant dent in history.
At the age of 12, Ford’s father gave him a pocket watch. At 15 hedismantled the watch and rebuilt it dozens of times to the amazement of his family and friends. This quickly gained him the reputation of a watch repairman. Ford said there were two significant events that led to his destiny, one was receiving the watch, the second was witnessing the operation of a Nichols and Shepard Road engine, to which he said was, "The first automobile other than horse-drawn that I had ever seen.”
After many years spent building and engineering machines for various companies, Ford struck out on his own with moderate success until finally founding the Ford Motor Company in 1903. He wanted to build a system to make the automobile affordable for the middle-class.
And he did.
That system came to be known as “Fordism,” and many elements of his system are still in place today. Though significant challenges and turmoil ensued throughout his life running the Ford Motor Company, in the end, he maintained control over the company, and it is still owned by the Ford Family Foundation today.
Henry Ford was a visionary innovator with an innate sense of understanding consumers’ needs. A quote often credited to him in this spirit is, "If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses."
At Wellspring, we empower breakthroughs. Our solutions give innovators the tools, insights, and confidence to turn bold ideas into game-changing realities. Every great innovation begins with a decision to change the game. Will you be next?
