Edsel Ford: The Son Henry Ford Wouldn’t Let Lead

Edsel Ford had the title of president. His father still held the power. Henry Ford’s only son helped shape the Model A, Lincoln, Mercury and the Continental. This is the story of the designer, husband, father and patron of the arts who tried to find his own voice inside his father’s empire—from Detroit Industry and the family’s labor conflicts to Willow Run and his death in 1943. The people who shape our world leave more than fortunes. They leave designs, institutions, opportunities—and consequences for those who follow. Edsel’s life reminds us of a quieter legacy: the beauty we create, the talent we encourage and the possibilities we leave to others. What do you think was Edsel’s most important achievement? The Martin Archives — The people behind history. CHAPTERS 0:00 The Call to a Dying Son 2:56 Growing Up Ford 7:00 An Apprentice and a Wedding 11:05 President in Name 15:47 The Dearborn Independent 17:27 Lincoln and a Home of His Own 20:10 Replacing the Model T 25:00 The Rouge and Its Cost 26:40 Detroit, 1932: Workers and Art 30:52 Harry Bennett 33:49 Mercury, Continental and the Foundation 35:45 The Battle of the Overpass 38:36 Willow Run 40:20 Edsel’s Final Illness 45:36 Henry Returns 47:44 The Next Generation Takes Control 50:09 The End of Henry Ford 51:31 What Remains of Edsel SELECTED SOURCES https://www.thehenryford.org/collecti... https://fordhouse.org/the-ford-family/ https://dia.org/collection/detroit-in... https://www.thehenryford.org/collecti... https://www.fordfoundation.org/about/... IMAGE CREDITS Wthomaskarr — CC BY-SA 4.0: https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... w_lemay — CC BY-SA 2.0: https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... Andrew Jameson — CC BY-SA 3.0: https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... Greg Gjerdingen — CC BY 2.0: https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... Aarne Pietinen Oy — CC BY 4.0: https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... Dave Parker — CC BY 3.0: https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... Rmhermen — CC BY-SA 3.0: https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... Don O’Brien — CC BY 2.0: https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... GPS 56 — CC BY 2.0: https://commons.wikimedia.org/?curid=... Licenses: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... These credited photographs are cropped and animated; adaptations of BY-SA photographs retain their respective BY-SA license. Original titles and details are available at the source links. #EdselFord #HenryFord #TheMartinArchives