Henry Ford and Johansson

Discuss all things Model T related.
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
User avatar

Topic author
NHUSA
Posts: 156
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 2:21 pm
First Name: Fred
Last Name: Dimock
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919 T with Mifflinburg Suburban body
Location: Timberlake NC

Henry Ford and Johansson

Post by NHUSA » Fri Jan 21, 2022 9:15 am

I watched a YouTube video titled the Origins of Precision last night and was surprised to learn that Henry Ford partnered with Johansson to make Jo gage blocks. They were probably more important to industry than the assembly line because the assembly line would not work without an accurate measurement system.

I would post the link if I could figure out how to do it.
NH - Where I used to live - not the carburetor ! :lol:


jab35
Posts: 892
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:28 pm
First Name: James
Last Name: Bartsch
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '26 Coupe
Location: Dryden, NY 13053
MTFCA Number: 30615
MTFCA Life Member: YES

Re: Henry Ford and Johansson

Post by jab35 » Fri Jan 21, 2022 10:04 am

Here's a description of a neat museum devoted to early precision manufacturing: https://americanprecision.org/

It used to be in Fred's backyard, jb

User avatar

Pep C Strebeck
Posts: 519
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:12 am
First Name: Joseph
Last Name: M
Location: MI
MTFCA Number: 0

Re: Henry Ford and Johansson

Post by Pep C Strebeck » Fri Jan 21, 2022 10:16 am

IMG_6964.JPG

I had fished this sign out of a trash can at least 50 years ago (correction, I picked this out of a trash can when I worked for Ex-Cell-O so that would have been 70+ years ago), been hanging in the basement ever since. Measures 18" x 14", original frame and backing, the original glass was cracked and broken. I always thought it was much less of a "partnership" and Ford just bought C.E. Johansson sometime before 1920.
"Remember son, there are two ways to do this: The right way, and your way” Thanks Dad, I love you too.

LOOKING FOR A LUFKIN No. 9A Height Gage Attachment.


Jerry VanOoteghem
Posts: 2950
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:06 pm
First Name: Jerry
Last Name: Van
Location: S.E. Michigan
MTFCA Number: 24868

Re: Henry Ford and Johansson

Post by Jerry VanOoteghem » Fri Jan 21, 2022 5:08 pm

DSC06072.JPG
DSC06071.JPG
DSC06070.JPG
DSC06069.JPG


Erik Johnson
Posts: 850
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2019 10:25 pm
First Name: Erik
Last Name: Johnson
Location: Minneapolis, MN

Re: Henry Ford and Johansson

Post by Erik Johnson » Fri Jan 21, 2022 10:40 pm

In 1884, Carl Edvard Johansson attended my alma mater, Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN before returning to Sweden.

In 1932, the college gave him an Honorary Doctor of Science degree.
Last edited by Erik Johnson on Sat Jan 22, 2022 12:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar

A Whiteman
Posts: 992
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:36 pm
First Name: Adrian
Last Name: Whiteman
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 TT, 1924 Colonial Roadster, 1924 'Bullnose' Morris, 1925 'Bullnose' Morris, 1936 JD AR
Location: South Island, New Zealand

Re: Henry Ford and Johansson

Post by A Whiteman » Fri Jan 21, 2022 11:04 pm

If you are a reader, see if you can find this book: Exactly by Simon Winchester (William Collins 2018). It has been a fascinating Christmas gift delving into the topic of precision and its development. Recommended read.

Apparently Ford's connection to JoBlocks stared when the factory had issues with SKF bearings which factory staff complained were causing problems as they were not consistently true. SKF strongly denied this and called on JoBlocks to prove the point. Ford had to eat humble pie when it was proven the problem was in his factories, not SKF bearings.
Henry's response was to persuade Johansson to move his factory into a Ford building in Detroit, then to eventually persuade Johansson to sell out to him.


John Codman
Posts: 1182
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 10:27 am
First Name: John
Last Name: Codman
* REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1927 Youring
Location: Naples, FL 34120

Re: Henry Ford and Johansson

Post by John Codman » Sat Jan 22, 2022 5:34 pm

i was under the impression that Pratt & Whitney developed the standard gauge system.


Jerry VanOoteghem
Posts: 2950
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 4:06 pm
First Name: Jerry
Last Name: Van
Location: S.E. Michigan
MTFCA Number: 24868

Re: Henry Ford and Johansson

Post by Jerry VanOoteghem » Sat Jan 22, 2022 5:45 pm

John Codman wrote:
Sat Jan 22, 2022 5:34 pm
i was under the impression that Pratt & Whitney developed the standard gauge system.
A similar story. In 1918 Pratt &Whitney purchased the rights to produce Hoke blocks from Major William Hoke, of the US Army, who perfected a means of manufacturing precision gauge blocks. Hoke blocks differ in that they are square, with a hole in the center. Most blocks in use today are Hoke style blocks.

Post Reply Previous topicNext topic