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. November 6 is the 310th day of the year (311th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 55 days remaining. ... 1893 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... May 26 is the 146th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (147th in leap years). ... 1943 (MCMXLIII) is a common year starting on Friday. ... Time Magazine, January 14, 1935 Henry Ford (July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947) was the founder of the Ford Motor Company and the Henry Ford Company (which later became Cadillac). ... The Detroit skyline at night as seen from Canada Nickname: The Motor City, Motown Motto: {{{motto}}} Official website: http://www. ... The Ford Motor Company (often referred to simply as Ford or Fords; sometimes nicknamed FoMoCo), NYSE: F is an automobile maker founded by Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, United States (where the company is currently headquartered), and incorporated on June 16, 1903. ...

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. Lincoln Limousine used by President Calvin Coolidge, c. ... MGs logo MG is a British marque that traditionally has produced sports cars from 1924 to 2005. ...

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 Joe Galamb. Edsel also prevailed upon his father to allow the inclusion of hydraulic 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. The Model A was the designation of two cars made by Ford Motor Company. ...

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. Mercury is an automobile brand name of the Ford Motor Company founded in 1939 to market semi-luxury cars slotted between entry-level Ford and luxury Lincoln models. ... Lincoln Zephyr Series HB 1937, USA The Lincoln Zephyr is a brand name of automobile from the Lincoln automobile division of the Ford Motor Company. ... Lincoln Continental is a model name that has been used several times by the Lincoln division of Ford Motor Company for a line of luxury cars. ...

Like his father, Edsel's reputation is clouded over associations with Nazi Germany. Questions linger regarding what degree of control Edsel maintained over Ford plants in Germany and Vichy France during World War II, and over whether Ford shareholders profited from the forced labor the Nazis used at those plants. Ford Motor Company maintains that it lost control of the plants immediately after Germany declared war on the U.S. Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ... Presidential flag of Vichy France Vichy France, or the Vichy regime was the de facto French government of 1940-1944 during the Nazi Germany occupation of World War II. Now known in French as the Régime de Vichy or Vichy, during its existence it referred to itself as L... Combatants Allied Powers Axis Powers Commanders {{{commander1}}} {{{commander2}}} Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties 17 million military deaths 7 million military deaths World War II, also known as the Second World War, was a mid-20th century conflict that engulfed much of the globe and is accepted as the largest and deadliest...

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. Henry Ford II (September 4, 1917-September 29, 1987), son of Edsel Ford and grandson of Henry Ford, was born in Detroit. ... William Clay Ford (born March 14, 1925) is the youngest of the four grandchildren of Henry Ford and child of Edsel Ford. ...

Upon his death in Detroit from cancer at the age of only 49, 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. His name continued in the legendary Ford, the Edsel, and the local high schoolin Dearborn, Edsel Ford High School. When normal cells are damaged beyond repair, they are eliminated by apoptosis. ... The Ford Foundation is a US charitable foundation created to fund programs that promote democracy, reduce poverty and promote international understanding (see mission statement). ... 1958 Edsel Pacer The Edsel is a make of automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company, // History The Edsel was introduced amidst a considerable amount of publicity on E Day -- September 4, 1957. ...

External link

• Edsel Ford biography

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 (DIA). He was an early collector of African art and his contributions became part of the core of the original DIA African art collection. Even 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 Antartic expeditions, also financed by Edsel, in gratitude named the Edsel Ford Range of mountains for him. Other Antartic homages include Ford Island, Ford Massif, Ford Nunataks, and Ford Peak.

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.

-Alan Naldrett