COM 114: Informative Speech #1

Ben Rosen
Specific Purpose Statement: To inform my audience about the production of the Ford
Model T.
Introduction
I.
Attention Getter: "I will build a car for the great multitude. It will be large
enough for the family, but small enough for the individual to run and care for. It
will be constructed of the best materials, by the best men to be hired, after the
simplest designs that modern engineering can devise. But it will be so low in price
that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one - and enjoy with his
family the blessing of hours of pleasure in God's great open spaces. (Ford, 1922)
II.

Relevance Statement: According to the History Channel, during the 19-year

production of the car, the Model T comprised nearly 40 percent of all automobiles
sold in the US.

III.

Credibility Statement: As someone who travels by car everyday, I was interested

in how the automobile transformed from a luxury product owned by only the
upper class, to a common item owned by nearly every American. I have
researched how the Model T allowed this change to occur and will report my
findings to the class.

IV.

Thesis Statement: The fabrication of the first Ford Model T on September 27th,
1908 transformed the automobile industry by introducing new mass-production
methods and creating an affordable form of transportation for the average
American.

Transition: First, Im going to discuss the methods used in the production of the Model
T.
Body
I. Henry Ford used techniques to build the Model T which had never been seen
before in the automotive industry.
A. The Ford Company built the Model T on a moving assembly line.
1. The Model T was built using identical parts, known as interchangeable
parts, which allowed every car to be built exactly the same (Goss, n.d.).
2. Building the car on an assembly line allowed unskilled workers to work
in the factories, because they only had to learn how to put the same
identical piece on the car over and over again.
B. The Model T was mass-produced in large production plants made specifically
for the automobile.
1. Fords plants were able to build one Model T every 24 seconds (History,
n.d.-b).

2. From 1908 until 1927 the Ford Motor Company was able to build over 15
million Model Ts (Brooke, 2008).
Directional Transition: Now that you understand how the Ford Model T was built, I will
take a look at the affordability of this automobile.
II. The Model T was the first affordable automobile for the typical American worker.
A. The price of the Model T was reduced from $850 in 1908 to less than $300 in
1925 (History, n.d.).
B. When the Model T became damaged or began to rust, due to the convenience
of the interchangeable parts, owners could inexpensively order the necessary
replacement parts instead of having to buy a whole new car.
1. Using replacement parts and a little creativity, the Model T could be used
for more than just transportation.
i.
By removing one wheel and replacing it with a pulley and leather
drive belt, the Model T could be used as a stationary power plant
for milling grain.
ii.
A little ingenuity allowed the Model T to turn the saw blade of a
mobile lumber mill for a carpenter or woodworker (Brooke, 2008).
2. The Model T had long lifespan due to the simplicity and ease of replacing
broken parts.
Transition: Given these points, you can see the revolutionary ideas that were
implemented in the production of the Model T.
Conclusion
I. Restatement of Thesis: With the construction of the first Ford Model T on
September 27, 1908, the automobile industry was introduced to a new massproduction method of building cars in a manner that made it affordable for many
Americans.
II.

Clincher: Over 253 million automobiles are owned in the United States today
(Hirsch, 2014). Without the advancements made to the industry by Henry Ford
and his invention of the Model T, the automobile may not have become the
reliable and affordable transportation method that it is today.

References
Brooke, L. (2008, July 19). Mr. Ford's T: Mobility With Versatility. Retrieved from
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/20/automobiles/collectibles/20FORD.html?_r=
0
Ford, H., & Crowther, S. (1922). IV. In My life and work. Garden City:
Doubleday, Page & Company.
Goss, J. (n.d.). How Henry Ford's Assembly Line Changed Manufacturing. Retrieved
from http://history1900s.about.com/od/1910s/a/Ford--Assembly-Line.htm
Hirsch, J. (2014, June 9). 253 million cars and trucks on U.S. roads; average age is 11.4
years. Retrieved from http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-ihsautomotive-average-age-car-20140609-story.html
History. (n.d.-a). Henry Ford. A&E Television Networks. Retrieved from
http://www.history.com/topics/henry-ford
History. (n.d.-b). Model T. A&E Television Networks. Retrieved from

http://www.history.com/topics/model-t