In 1891, they moved to Detroit, where Henry got a job as an engineer with the Edison Electric Illuminating Company. He proved that he was a true professional and was quickly promoted to chief engineer. He loved his job and gained invaluable experience with steam engines and other machinery. During that time, he continued to experiment with internal combustion engines and developed an even greater passion for automobiles. In 1896, after years of experiments, Ford finally completed a gasoline-powered vehicle (known as Ford Quadricycle), which consisted of a light metal frame fitted with four bicycle wheels. He built his first car in a shed behind their house. Curiously, almost everyone was skeptical of Henry Ford’s ability to build a car because the automobile industry was still in its early stages, and the idea of mass-producing cars was seen as highly risky and ambitious. However, there was one person who believed in Henry. It was his beloved wife.
Henry Ford officially founded Ford Motor Company in 1903. Ford’s determination and innovative approach ultimately led to the successful production of the Model T in 1908, which revolutionized the automotive industry. Contrary to popular belief, Ford did not build the first car as the Benz Motor Car came before the Model T, but he introduced the mass production of vehicles, which made cars more affordable for the middle class. Simply put, he popularized the assembly line system, which helped reduce costs and increase productivity. Henry Ford had a big heart and a personal motto “Help others.” He valued his employees and introduced a new working schedule: an 8-hour, 5-day working week. Notably, during that time, the Soviet Union was the only country that had legislation for this mode of operation. Besides, Henry Ford more than doubled the wages of his production workers. What’s more, he made it his mission to hire employees with disabilities. As an inventor, Henry Ford was a true legend with a whopping large number of patents to his name.
Today, Ford Motor Company continues to be the major player in the global automotive industry.
Vocabulary
give up [ɡɪv ʌp] – сдаваться, опускать руки
defeated [dɪˈfiːtɪd] – побежденный
devastated [ˈdevəsteɪtɪd] – опустошенный, подавленный
clear-cut goal [ˌklɪrˈkʌt ɡəʊl] – четкая цель
boundless [ˈbaʊndləs] – безграничный
follow in one’s footsteps [ˈfɑːləʊ ɪn wʌnz ˈfʊtstep] – идти по чьим-либо стопам
take over [ˈteɪk ˈəʊvər] – взять в свои руки управление, руководство
be attached to someone [bi: əˈtætʃt tu ˈsʌmwʌn] – быть привязанным к кому-то
dumbfounded [dʌmˈfaʊndɪd] – ошеломленный, ошарашенный
repair [rɪˈper] – чинить
occasional job [əˈkeɪʒənl ˈdʒɑːb] – случайная (нерегулярная) работа, подработка
newlyweds [ˈnuːli wedz] – молодожены
endeavor [ɪnˈdevər] – начинание, попытка
affordable [əˈfɔːrdəbl] – доступный, по средствам
reduce [rɪˈduːs] – сократить
increase [ɪnˈkriːs] – увеличить
whopping [ˈwɑːpɪŋ] – колоссальный, ошеломительный, огромный
Exercises
1) Who was Henry Ford?
2) Why did Henry have a strained relationship with his father?
3) What kind of relationship did Henry have with his mother?
4) What promise did Henry make to himself when his mother passed away?
5) What was his educational background?
6) Where did his passion for engineering stem from?
7) What age did Henry leave home?
8) What jobs did he do?
9) Where did Henry Ford meet his future wife?
10) Where did Henry Ford build his first car?
11) What kind of person was Henry Ford?
величайший бизнесмен всех времен; эта цитата таит в себе глубокий смысл; если ничего не получается; иметь четкие цели; он надеялся, что сын займется семейным фермерским делом; он с раннего возраста проявлял интерес к технике; он был очень привязан к своей матери; один из самых влиятельных предпринимателей в истории; он самостоятельно выучился ремеслу часовщика; она поддерживала мужа во всех его начинаниях; он доказал, что он настоящий профессионал
when it seems like the whole world is against you, remember that the plane takes off against the wind; nothing is impossible for those who have clear-cut goals; he was greatly affected by the loss; his mind was deeply occupied with the wonder machine; he was basically self-taught; to reach his cherished goal; there is a woman behind every successful man; the idea of mass-producing cars was seen as highly risky and ambitious
Creative task No. 6
“Success and rest don’t sleep together.” Discuss what this proverb means. State your opinion on the topic.
Thomas Edison
The greatest inventor and businessman in history Thomas Edison once said: “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close to success they were when they gave up.” In my opinion, it is one of the best motivational quotes about success. It suggests that you should never give up, no matter how tough things may seem. Successful businessmen never give up halfway. Persistence, determination, grit, perseverance, and willingness to keep going despite setbacks or challenges are essential qualities needed to achieve success in any field. It is commonly known that failures are stepping stones to success. Thomas Edison also shared this opinion. “I never view mistakes as failures. They are simply opportunities to find out what doesn’t work,” he said. Read this chapter to get to know Thomas Edison better.
Thomas Alva Edison was born on February 11, 1847, in the village of Milan in Ohio, USA. He was the youngest of the seven children born to his parents (actually, he was one of the four children who survived to adulthood). His father, Samuel, was a merchant. His mother, Nancy, had worked as a schoolteacher before she married. When the boy was about seven years old, his family moved to Port Huron, Michigan, where he received most of his formal education. As a child, Thomas was very hyperactive and absent-minded. He got sick a lot and was a slow learner. Besides, he had an unusual physical appearance: his head was considerably larger than other kids’. All in all, Thomas was a rebellious kid who caused a lot of trouble for teachers, and they could not handle him or find the right way to teach him. As the story goes, little Thomas overheard the teacher tell the inspector that he was “addled,” and it would not be worthwhile keeping him at school anymore. He was so upset and overwhelmed that he came home tearful and told his mother about it. Consequently, Nancy decided to homeschool him without hesitation. As you may remember, Edison’s mother was an experienced teacher. So, the great inventor’s formal schooling lasted just a few months. “Every cloud has a silver lining,” as the famous saying goes. Thomas never regretted the decision because his mother believed he had a remarkable intelligence. Edison was very grateful to her for everything she had done for him. Here is exactly what he said about her:
She was the making of me. She was so true and so sure of me, I felt that I had someone to live for – someone I must not disappoint.
This may come as a surprise to you, but the legendary inventor was almost deaf. Here are some of the reasons that could have contributed to his hearing problem. First, as a kid, Thomas had scarlet fever and suffered from numerous middle-ear infections, which could have caused hearing loss. Second, Edison himself claimed that he developed severe hearing problems after an angry train conductor smacked his ears for starting a fire in the baggage car, where he conducted his experiments. Personally, I think that the accident could well have happened. Third, Edison could have had a genetic predisposition to hearing loss. Fourth, the legendary inventor spent long hours in the noisy telegraph office, which could have contributed to his hearing problems.
Edison’s entrepreneurial spirit showed itself early. At 12 years old, he started making his first money selling sweets, newspapers, and other little things on the trains. At 14, he decided to publish his own small newspaper entitled The Grand Trunk Herald. As a teenager, he made good money. However, he spent most of it to equip the chemical lab he set up in the basement of his parents’ house. Most notably, his mother, who had always been supportive of his endeavors, was somewhat skeptical about this venture. As a result, he set up a lab in one of the train baggage cars, where that unfortunate fire accident occurred.
No wonder they say that accidents are not accidental. One day, Edison saved a little boy from being struck by an oncoming train. That accident was a turning point in his life. The boy’s father was the stationmaster. He was so grateful to him for saving his child’s life that he offered to teach young Edison the Morse code. Within months, Thomas became proficient in the Morse system and started working full-time as a telegraph operator. Curiously, he was often fired for conducting experiments at his workplace. Personally, I’m not surprised at all. In my opinion, many talented people live in their own world, break the rules, and think outside the box.
In 1868, Edison settled in Boston. He worked for the Western Union Company and spent much time conducting experiments. In 1869, the greatest inventor filed his first patent for an electric vote recorder. However, the politicians disliked the invention as it stripped away their influence over the voting process. From that time on, Edison lived by the motto: “Never invent something unless there is a demand for it.” Notably, prior to achieving international fame for the invention of the phonograph, the great entrepreneur filed over 100 patents. Edison’s business acumen, innovative spirit, and reputation as an inventive “wizard” helped him get financial support from reputed financiers. Throughout his career, our hero founded numerous companies, including the Edison General Electric Company, which became one of the largest and most successful corporations in the world.