Five Reasons the Model T was Revolutionary

Automotive historian Bob Casey shares five key reasons that Henry Ford’s Model T was revolutionary when it was introduced in 1908. This video was created as part of an exhibition installed at the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant in September 2017. For more info visit: www.fordpiquetteavenueplant.org
____________________
Featuring: Bob Casey
Directed by: Donald Harrison
Camera: Joey Ostrander
Editing & Audio: David Camlin
Project Managers: Mary Seelhorst & Jason Jay Stevens
Produced by: 7 Cylinders Studio [7cylinders.com], in association with Flutter & Wow Museum Projects [flutterwow.com]
Extra Thanks: Nancy Darga, Norm Boltz, Barry Cogan, Aline Mauch
Extra Special Thanks: Steve Shotwell for the 1916 Model T in the driving sequence
____________________
About the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant:
In 1997, the city of Detroit changed the zoning around the historic Ford plant. Detroit preservationist Jerald Mitchell suspected that bulldozers might not be far behind, so he got the Henry Ford Heritage Association involved to examine how they might save the building.
Three years later, a group of historians, preservationists, and Model T enthusiasts incorporated the Model T Automotive Heritage Complex as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and purchased the building. When we first opened to the public as an historic site we were called the T-plex. Today, we operate as the Ford Piquette Avenue Plant.
We are dedicated to preserving the building and providing a unique experience of Detroit’s history. The plant now attracts visitors from around the world, bus tours, families, and scores of people attending public and private events from car shows to weddings.
We’re managed by a board of trustees and volunteer committees. In 2013, the board hired the site’s first executive director, Nancy Darga, former director of the MotorCities National Heritage Area.
The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant was declared a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 2006. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2002 and listed as a Michigan State Historic Site in 2003.

[@tadonplane8265]

My grandfather was a great storyteller and he used to tell me about his Model T when I was a kid. Every T had a three position double throw ignition switch…”BAT”, “OFF”, “MAG”. He kept a 6 volt “hot shot” dry cell battery under the seat that was wired to the “BAT” terminal. Cold weather made hand cranking difficult and slow but the battery insured a good hot spark. Once the engine was running he’d switch it to “Mag”. The magneto also powered the headlights. He said you could buy “light duty” or “heavy duty” headlight bulbs. The light duty bulbs were brighter when the engine was idling but high revs would burn them out, so city people typically bought those. Country people like him who drove fast had to use the heavy duty ones, the magneto couldn’t burn them out but they nearly went out when the engine was idling. He solved this dilemma by purchasing a six volt spotlight, mounting it on the windshield frame, wiring it to the hot shot, and then installing the brighter light duty bulbs. He said the real risk of burning out the headlights came when climbing a steep hill and needing to downshift. So the procedure became; -just before the downshift, turn on the spotlight, turn off the headlights, downshift, climb the hill, then upshift, turn on the headlights and turn off the spotlight. That’s kinda like “rub your head, pat your belly, chew gum, hop up and down on one foot and sing Dixie” all for a little brighter lights. Later I learned that the light duty bulbs were six volt and the heavy duty bulbs were nine volt. They were also called “town” lights and “country” lights.

[@Kuessemir]

Thanks so much for your familial account, explanations, and historical relevancies!

[@johnsemprez1275]

The model T was a fully integrated system. All parts worked together to provide a machine that was light weight while strong. I have owned several model T's and can attest to this.The model T is basically one big spring,Triangulated in a way that reduces stress on all other components. Every time I work on one, I am impressed by its simple elegance!

[@CBJAMPA]

A classy, educational an informative documentary. Thanks for uploading!

[@thelazarous]

I remember hearing so many bad things and complaints about the Model T growing up, like how bad it would vibrate and over heat. But then I grew up and learned that most of those complaints were made in the late 20's and 30's after it left production and basically forced all the other competition to make better cars. When the T was introduced it really was one of the best even if not the most capable, but obviously as time went on other companies including Ford themselves moved on to better designs that fit the times.

[@Peter-jo3wt]

I live about halfway between the Ford piquette plant in Detroit, and the Highland Park plant. I'm building a 1927 model T. I should have done this YEARS ago.

[@charlesbelliott7265]

1st Class Presentation

[@tsbrownie]

Excellent video. I am surprised how flexible the chassis was, that's a lot of movement.

[@candidmoe8741]

The best listicle I ever seen in my life. Precise, concise, informative, 100% pure juice!

[@BELCAN57]

I visited this museum a few years ago. It's well worth your time.

[@davemckolanis4683]

A little bit of old added information here about these horseless contraptions that were first known as Motorized Carriages, (since many of the first ones used in towns had Electric Motors powering them). It was later shortened to "Motor Car", but with most of them using gasoline engines instead, the word Motor was dropped altogether in this country, and they were simply known as CARS.

[@EdPawley]

Hadn't heard about the 'magneto' previously. Thanks for posting

[@cdjhyoung]

Simple, reliable and easy to fix. All attributes that made the Model T America's favorite car.

[@BrucifyMe]

Wow, never knew about the flywheel magneto. Actually blew my mind, so impressive for the time.

[@dennisderby8705]

Great explanation of how the model T works. I wish I had saw this in 2006 when I bought my 1917 TT truck! Thanks.

[@twentyrothmans7308]

I am very grateful for Mr Casey's expertise.

[@SJtoobsox]

Thank you for this excellent video!

[@drpoundsign]

The Neighborhood around that plant was called "Paradise Valley." That's a Misnomer. It and Black Bottom started out as Immigrant areas, but became the First African American Detroit neighborhoods by the 1920s. At the time, they could not Live anywhere Else. My Late Mom used to take me down John R to where it intersects Kirby, for lessons at the Music School there. This was in the Late Sixties/early Seventies. That Hood included a few Victorian Houses, some row houses, and tenement apartments-with plastic drop cloths in the windows(!) Most of those old buildings have been demolished, and some new housing has actually been built. The Specific area is Milwaukee Junction. It got built up when the railroad came through. One of our neighbors spoke to the former Police Chief of Highland Park (a Rough enclave of Detroit) and, HE could not Believe we drove through there.

[@davidmann8254]

Brilliant. Concise, informative and interesting. Thank you.

[@akbarshoed]

I could listen to those gears all day

[@SidecarBob]

I think you'll find that vanadium steel is about the same weight as regular steel and the parts were lighter because its greater strength meant less of it was necessary to produce the same strength.

[@johnkendall6962]

True. as a side note it was almost rust proof People are still using body parts from more than a hundred years ago . Try that in 2118 with cars from today.

[@TheGearhead222]

Doesn't rust either!-John in Texas

[@warntheidiotmasses7114]

@@johnkendall6962 I have a chopping blade made from it. I used it 50 years ago as a kid for chopping up vegetables on Thanksgiving. Never sharpened it once all these years. It's got an odd grain.

[@johnkendall6962]

@@warntheidiotmasses7114 I had a knife made from a rear spring that stayed sharp and was as rust free as stainless steel. Unfortunately someone decided they needed it more than I did.

[@drpoundsign]

@@johnkendall6962 they needed it for a Prison Shank-LOL.

[@MidlandTexan]

Thank you, a very informative and enlightening video presentation.

[@camgere]

Excellent information! Excellent cutaway demonstration models!

[@Wooley689]

What a great demonstration, learned a lot in 6:21 time. Thank you for this.

[@akbarshoed]

This is what KZbin is all about!

[@mikebrooka9395]

I had the pleasure of driving one. Wow! It was Cecil Labida's model T that was in the movie 'Charge of the Model T's' and I think it was fast Charlie... Both were filmed in and around Eagle Park Cache Oklahoma.

[@rustyfordsutube]

Great video....thanks for posting it.

[@rickintexas1584]

Great explanations! Many thanks. I’d love to visit the museum one day.

[@styldsteel1]

The Piquette Museum is a place that must be visited by not only car buffs, but history buffs. This plant was left in the same condition the day Henry moved out. (mostly) The huge and massive sliding fire doors are still there, they look great and still work like the day they were new. This is also before Henry's assembly line process we still use today albeit it's all automated. But still It's Henry's idea. You'll see the different "stations" at this plant where each employee had his purpose.

[@drpoundsign]

He observed a Chicago Slaughterhouse. A DE-assembly line, if you will. He figured it would work well for building cars fast.

[@Reidsmith1000]

Appreciate this. Learned something new about something very old.

[@gonzalogochicoa6815]

Gracias gracias gracias Maestros por mantener el Legado Gracias Henry por tanto

[@RoofLiberty8]

Great job, Bob. Looking forward to seeing you at St. John's -

[@stanfischer6175]

Watching this makes me long for the Ford museum in Dearborn. If you've never been there then go, especially if your a gear-head.

[@connieschmitt714]

Very good demonstration and info on the model t

[@freddiev6050]

How interesting, thanks for sharing it!

[@oilspill321]

Awesome video. Did not know most of the info about the great features.

[@royramdeen8864]

So cool. Well done illustrations.

[@balazspetho5070AgroGO]

Thank you very much for beatiful demonstration :)

[@DogSpeak]

My great great uncle owned Berlin auto sales in ct. He saved several cars over the years and stored them until he passed away at 105 years old. Some of the cars he saved were a model A and a model T still in the original shipping crate and unassembled. and a 68 mustang.

[@GlamStacheessnostalgialounge]

What happened to them after he died?

[@DogSpeak]

Berlin Auto sales was the first Ford dealership in Ct. He sold it when he retired to his sales manager Morande, who eventually moved and it became Morande Ford. He sold the original property to his head Mechanic which became Ron's auto. Ron and his family became very close to my aunt and uncle over the years and after he died he left them pretty much everything. Ron jr now owns the shop and I believe he was left all the cars. As far as I know the T was never assembled. I'd be curious to know the value of something like that. I've never heard of another that exists in its original package.

[@iarrcsim2323]

I wonder if Jay Leno would want it.

[@styldsteel1]

Nice story and thanks for sharing. I've never heard of anything like that and probably never will again. I like unique stories. As for the value of the T you spoke of, It is impossible to place a value on something like this. The only sure fire way to find something like this out, is to bring it to auction, see what the market will bear. What the person pays will be the value. Very often people place imaginary values on objects and end up holding on to it for a very long time.

[@styldsteel1]

Yea, definitely agree with the auctions, and the reserve placement just to protect the value whatever that might be.

[@jeanroger7866]

Just discovering this video. Very interesting, thanks !

[@mjl3050]

Great video and explanations

[@nomdeplume4543]

Superb explanation.

[@ddkoda]

The comparison of a car or some other manufactured item to a Model T today is seen as somewhat of a derisive term. However as Bob Casey explains the Model T used some of the most advanced technology of its time and was really on top of cutting edge technology of the day.

[@artistmac]

"Model T" definitely isn't a derisive term. It describes a product that may not be the first of its kind, but was the game changer in its category. The Douglas DC3 and Boeing 707 are perfect examples. We're still waiting for the Model T of EV's. And neither the Model 3 nor the Leaf are it. Not even close.

[@bernlin2000]

It's the hallmark of popular automobiles. "They hate us because they ain't us" would apply here :-P you can't denigrate a vehicle that, at one point in US history, was (as a SINGLE model of car) driven by over 50% of automobile drivers, at the same time. That has never been repeated in American history, nor will it be.

[@MickeyMousePark]

@@bernlin2000 not to mention the amount of Model T's that were converted to just about everything to automate work on the farm...thousands were used by jacking up the rear wheels and removing the wheels and putting on a device that could be used to turn a belt ..it could then be used to thrash wheat, run a buzz saw among hundreds of other things...

[@jamesbarbour8400]

@@MickeyMousePark indeed - the 1932 models in particular, were popular with hot rod converters, whom used the passenger compartment (or 'bucket'), as the basis for their distinctive vehicles. The cars could also be converted with steel wheels on the rear axle, which had steel angles bolted across the face of the 'band' to give traction - a tractor in effect. Not sure if it was a success or not as engine characteristics for a car are almost the polar opposite of that required for agricultural tractor applications. Just my tuppence worth..... Well explained video by the way

[@drpoundsign]

@@artistmac My Chevy Bolt gets 300 miles (minus the AC) in the Summer, and around 210 miles (minus the Heater) in our Midwestern Winter. I'm going to have a Level 2 charger installed in my garage. So far, However, the Level 1-Wall current-has served me well. There are also Level 3s near Both my worksites; they can charge the car in 45 minutes, and one is walking distance from both a Supermarket and Gastropub.

[@Travelingman2016]

When things where simple and quality.. We need to get back to this in a lot of ways.

[@TheGearhead222]

EXCELLENT video! I learned more about the Model T in this video than any other time in my life, and I love old Fords!-John in Texas

[@MidlandTexan]

I too.

[@jrg7951]

Thank you Bob, that was fasinating

[@wi11y1960]

Left out was that the flywheel magnets second feature was to provide lubrication to the front bearing when the car went up a hill. As cars of that ttime didnt have a means of forced lubrication that we do now from an oil pump.

[@Miicrowahvei]

Great video!

[@friedrichkertoja]

Thank s for uploading this video. 👍Such A nice car

[@greggweber9967]

I understand that between the Model N and T they got knowledge, skill, and confidence enough so that the larger castings weren't likely to have flaws.

[@mr.grumpygrumpy2035]

I visited this museum. For car aficionados it's absolute heaven.

[@drpoundsign]

I've visited the Better-known Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. The Piquette Ave one is on my Bucket List.

[@sarcomakaposi2054]

Amazing, now all i need is a Model T to check it off my bucket list. I have wanted to drive this car since i was a child.

[@sigridqwq5198]

the only way is, take a car from the museum, maybe by night?

[@inventing...3717]

that was awesome...

[@pr0ject_nihilist]

One thing he left out with the transmission. Like modern automatic transmissions there are bands around the planetary gear drums that would squeeze when you pushed the clutch the reverse or the brake pedal. They had no mechanical brakes. It had a transmission brake Those bands back then used a cotton packing. If you picture a band around a modern auto trans they are made of heavy duty stuff like ceramic or Kevlar. What a fascinating setup. Also the parking brake had something to do with neutral and high gear, He didn't show it but when the parking break was released it was in neutral, push it forward the clutch would come out farther and be in high gear and you wouldn't have to hold it pushed in. I haven't found a video explaining how all this works. I am guessing it locked the planet gears and probably made it a 1-1 ratio. I am not sure if you just started out in high gear or if you changed from pushing the clutch to using the long parking brake handle to the left of the driver to go into high after low gear. Also your speed was controlled by a lever by the wheel, and there was also another lever that changed the timing of the spark on the right side of the steering wheel to help it start easier. I had learned this before we even had internet. I suppose all my questions and answers are just a click away.

[@MartinZanichelli]

I don´t think that Henry Ford will go somewhere with that invention. I don´t see people replacing their horses for that. Where do we put them where we do not use it? How can a person resist such a speed? Roads are made of dust and they are right for the horses. Thank you for the film anyway and I likes how you pasted simulated colors and sound. Sound will never be possible in a movie because it requires another track to be arranged.

[@PaulRentz]

Look at photos of major cities around 1910- there's even a very neat video of NYC at 1911- the 'mix' of horse poo and exhaust fumes must have been a sickening combo! I'm sure- cars did make the cities more sanitary!

[@c0mpu73rguy]

Martin Zanichelli The old Ford is losing his marbles I tell you.

[@MickeyMousePark]

@@PaulRentz From my understanding ...Golden Gate Park in San Francisco (one of the nations most beautiful city parks) was created due to it was the dumping ground for all the horse manure collected on San Francisco streets...

[@millomweb]

Lovely fire door. I hope it's well maintained.

[@jamesbaker7112]

Excellent. Subscribed.

[@janharm6787]

Wow amazing

[@waveranger4974]

Excellent

[@bertcushman7427]

very informative! I know how a magneto works now... thanks! 🍾🍾🍾👍

[@chicoxiba]

so good

[@julmues]

excelent video

[@elpuerco6059]

That gear shift mechanism is as alien to me as current technology would be to people of that era. Amazing and beautiful.

[@User-gn6qz]

'Nology is amazing

[@semco72057]

Those are nice ideas, and the reason the Model T was so popular for the drivers.

[@hyzercreek]

The reason Ford was popular was because it was CHEAP

[@STho205]

Abcde. Then why aren't we all driving Yugos today. They were certainly cheap. Why'd we leave VW bugs of the pre 80s? Why'd we not all just buy Minis? Cheap as cheap can be. It did help sales of Ts and Austins that they were cheap, but that's not the only factor.

[@beedslolkuntus2070]

But we can’t buy it now

[@horeageorgian7766]

If you have to decide between affording to be motorised or walking than price is decisive. If you have to choose between buying your second car or not, than other factors are considered.

[@JOCKATEO]

thanks

[@jerrycampbell9376]

Wow!

[@diegomisael]

This is Spark'tacular

[@jwalster9412]

hey guys I'm shmee, and today I'm taking delivery of a very special, bespoke one off car.

[@user-sv8qg9ho8u]

Thanks so much. This presentation is also revolutionary for easy understandings. Henry Ford was the greatest engineer without doubt even though he had some figures as an oppressor.

[@stormconnors]

Be aware that much of the design and construction of the Model T was done by the Dodge Brothers.

[@PaulRentz]

Not so much that he was an excellent engineer as he was able to 'marshall his lieutenants' to form the 'greatest army' of that time to produce a product that sold far better than anyone else's, cornering half the auto market at one point against many, many competitors. Dodge Brothers didn't design the parts that went into the Model T- yes they were the best at the time of building them. Also, Mr. Ford didn't have much of a choice- after two failed efforts to build cars almost no one would have risked 'stock versus cash' payments for the parts they made for Ford Motor starting around 1903.

[@dennisderby8705]

Let's not forget about his engineer that started his own company the WILLS ST CLAIR.. THAT GUY WAS A HUGH PART OF FORD......

[@KypHeM]

You should use your left hand when you start it

[@richmateyko9803]

You use your right hand on the crank but you don't wrap your thumb around the crank, as is shown here. If your thumb is around the crank and the engine backfires, you will have a broken thumb. Another thing he failed to mention is that before you depress the reverse pedal, you depress the clutch pedal, the one on the left, halfway down and hold it there to keep the forward parts in neutral. Leaving the clutch pedal up will leave high gear engaged while you try to depress reverse and the car won't move.

[@Bartonovich52]

Like hand propping a plane, there’s more than one way to do it correctly. Make sure you stand clear and that your hand is able to move free whichever direction it decides to spin.

[@nsbioy]

This was a lesson of how NOT to start a model T

[@joea1433]

Thank you! No wonder Henry Ford was loath to end the Ts run for the A.

[@jomaaajad]

فعلآ أنكم عظماء

[@user-cp1yp5gn6j]

Intro music?

[@groenekever]

left hand crank???

[@macsnafu]

I always knew there was something special and different about the Model T; now I know some of the reasons why. Also, Scott Joplin's Rags sound very similar to his more popular songs. Hmmm....

[@millomweb]

Just one question - when the brake pedal is pressed, is the drive from the engine always disengaged ?

[@dennisderby8705]

If you don't have the left pedal in neutral you could keep moving forward when stepping on the brake.

[@millomweb]

@@dennisderby8705 Thanks.

[@pashakdescilly7517]

@@dennisderby8705 You also have to push the left pedal to the neutral position when you want reverse (push the central pedal down for that)

[@bernlin2000]

Strong, well-built drivetrain, and an innovative suspension: and there you have it, the marvel of the early 20th century 🙂 and it's still a great looking car, well designed and far more simple than anything that can be sold commercially today (thanks to safety regulations).

[@allenbuck5589]

Interesting thanks from. Sc

[@Bogdan-hr1xm]

Сколько стоит модел т четырёхдверный на ходу 1927 года выпуска?

[@stuwest3653]

What is the sprocket for on the r/f wheel? @1:54

[@stormconnors]

Speedometer

[@stuwest3653]

Thanks.

[@AlldaylongRock]

The flywheel magneto is genius.. Couldn't an evolution of that replace the alternator in modern vehicles? I mean, some brands use similar things to use hybrid systems..

[@argonwheatbelly637]

Well, a magneto is a type of alternator, but it doesn't produce enough current to do everything. We still use magnetos in many airplanes, since they'll keep the engine running even if the alternator fails and you run out of battery juice.

[@sigridqwq5198]

Henry was a Genius

[@gordondean2165]

A lot of NAZIs were. Just think of Werner von Braun - great Americans all.

[@UncleRobsGarage]

I like how he and everybody else overlooks the fact the Dodge Brothers built the Model T the first few years

[@61rampy65]

Nope. Dodge built the bodies, not the whole car.

[@jamesbarbour8400]

@@61rampy65 that's interesting - did not know that. Did Ford not have their own body shop at the time then ? Would be interested to know

[@theperson2346]

Imagine it’s the year 1911 you’ve just got off work and you’ve been saving up for a while so you decide to go out and buy a new model T and the newly invented 1911 pistol. I bet it would be the same as buying a Tesla and a lightsaber today. Lol

[@millomweb]

Had to watch this twice to count the '5' reasons. There are in fact 10 reasons given in this video !

[@peachworks_en]

Dang...these Model T's remind me of the M4 Sherman. Both were cheap to make, cheap to sell, not very fast, etc. This wasn't the case as both the Model T and M4 were mass produced and revolutionary. (M4 Sherman is a WWII tank)

[@joevignolor4u949]

Actually the M4 was fairly fast for a tank. It was made lighter to make it fast and able to go over terrain and obstacles that would stop a heavier tank. Most were powered by a relatively light aircraft engine. Of course having a smaller 75 MM gun and thinner armor made it venerable to heavier German tanks with a bigger 88 MM gun. My uncle drove one in WWII. He said the best thing about the Sherman was that you could run away and the German Tigers and Panzers were slower and couldn't catch the M4. it's well known that fighting a superior German tank in an inferior Sherman was very dangerous. A lot of my uncle's friends died that way.

[@geraldking4080]

"You can have any color you want as long as it's black." - Henry Ford

[@davemckolanis4683]

It Was Said That The First Early Ford's COULD Be Bought In Different Colors. But As The Model T Production Increased Per Day, The Paint Color BLACK Dried Faster, So The Parts Could Be Assembled Quicker, And Thus More Cars Produced In A Days Time...

[@davidrussell8834]

Henry Ford s genius was he introduced tolerances and interchangeability of components rather than making things to fit. He also invented the assembly line

[@andrewallen9993]

Nope! The chap that invented the màss production assembly line for the mass manufacture of exchangeable identical products was Marc Brunel. Isambard Kingdom Brunel's father to mass produce blocks for the Royal Navy.

[@Mastermindyoung14]

Ransom Olds invented the assembly line.

[@dustmybroom288]

I have herd that the assembly line was invented for use in meat processing plants. The first auto maker to use an assembly line was Oldsmobile. Ford was the second auto maker to use the assembly line.

[@jamesbarbour8400]

@@Mastermindyoung14 yes, the scale of Fords' operation merely popularised the method, but as you say, he definitely didn't invent it - he just knew a good thing when he saw it. He produced the Ford/Ferguson 9N tractor in 1939, which incorporated Harry Fergusons' revolutionary three point linkage for implements, which incorporated draught control, to let a light tractor achieve as much work as a heavy one without the system. A very clever man, our Mr Ferguson.

[@423FGFDFHFHV]

Interesting that the engine started before the crank handle was moved.

[@mdhj67]

Your link to the Ford Piquette website is wrong. It should be www.fordpiquetteplant.org/ instead of www.fordpiquetteavenueplant.org/. Your link redirects to www.unionbarber.com/

[@rayanjackson3637]

We are living in future

[@cavemanjoe79]

Interesting that Henry Ford made the block solid and one piece, just like the V8, and now all auto manufacturers made one piece blocks. Ironic though that the transmission went away for a manual transmission, and the charging was moved to the front of the engine off of the belt.

[@SpockvsMcCoy]

These very early Model Ts with their bright colors and brass trim are more aesthetically pleasing then the later more common all-black survivors.

[@hankrogers8431]

Model T's never had floorboards that nice. Never.

[@ashthewolfdog1380]

oh don't forget one thing! the model T also had klass

[@Choochin]

Thinking about driving that thing makes my head hurt.

[@dieselgeezer18]

because u drive an automatic and automatics suck

[@itsyoboiivan3255]

Imagine pulling up to school in a model T

[@johnerwin9024]

the 'revolutionary' car☝️

[@paulcheek5711]

but what about the model S

[@Ignore_This_Account.]

I'm probably going to get a model t as my first car because I it to be like all these people driving newer cars and the one guy who's driving a ford model t lol