Edsel Ford
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Edsel Bryant Ford (November 6, 1893 – May 26, 1943), son of Henry Ford, was born in Detroit. He was president of Ford Motor Company from 1919 to 1943.
As the Fords' only child, Edsel was groomed to take over the family business, and had grown up tinkering on cars with his father. He became secretary of Ford in 1915.
The younger Ford showed more interest than his father in flashier styling for automobiles. He indulged this proclivity in part with the purchase of the Lincoln Motor Company in 1922. His affinity for sporty cars was demonstrated in his personal vehicles: Edsel bought the first MG motorcar imported to the United States. In 1932 he had a V-8 boat-tailed speedster custom-designed for him, and two years later had another car designed, this one a low-riding aluminum-bodied speedster. The latter two cars he kept for the remainder of his life and inspired the design of the Lincoln Continental.
After becoming president of Ford, Edsel long advocated the introduction of a more modern automobile to replace the Model T, but was repeatedly overruled by his father. Flagging sales and dwindling market share for the company, however, finally made introduction of a new model inevitable.
During the design phase for the Model A, Henry Ford assured mechanical quality and reliability, leaving it to his son to flesh out the body design. This the younger Ford accomplished with the help of designer Jozsef Galamb. Edsel also prevailed upon his father to allow the inclusion of four-wheel mechanical brakes and a sliding-gear transmission on this model. The resulting Model A was a commercial success, selling over four million during four years of production.
As president, Edsel Ford was often at loggerheads with his father on major decisions, but he nevertheless managed to accomplish several lasting changes. Edsel Ford founded and named the Mercury division, and significantly strengthened Ford Motors' overseas production. He was also responsible for the Lincoln Zephyr and Lincoln Continental.
Edsel and Eleanor had four children: Henry Ford II, Benson, Josephine, and William Clay. Each child inherited a large amount of shares in the Ford company and the three sons all worked in the family business.
Upon his death in Detroit from cancer at the age of only 49, his father Henry resumed presidency of the company and all of Edsel Ford's nonvoting stock was donated through a codicil in his will to the Ford Foundation, which he had founded with his father seven years earlier.
Edsel Ford, unlike his father Henry, strongly believed in giving back to the community and was one of the greatest art benefactors in Detroit history. As president of the Detroit Arts Commission, he commissioned the famous Diego Rivera murals contained within the Detroit Institute of Arts. He was an early collector of African art and his contributions became part of the core of the original DIA African art collection. After his death his family continued to make significant contributions.
Edsel Ford also helped to finance exploratory expeditions, including Admiral Richard Byrd's historic flight over the North Pole in 1926. Byrd, in his Antarctic expeditions, also financed by Edsel, in gratitude named the Edsel Ford Range of mountains for him.
The [Edsel and Eleanor Ford House] is now open to the public for tours. Located on 87 acres near Grosse Pointe, Michigan, the house has a great collection of original antiques and art, beautiful, lakefront grounds, and hosts special events, classes and lectures.
His name continued in the legendary short-lived Ford division, Edsel, and two of the three local high schools in Dearborn, Edsel Ford High School and Fordson High School (Ford's son, i.e. Edsel, also used as the brand name of Fordson tractors).
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