This Day In History - December 1, 1913

[HPetrino]

I've read that it was on this day Henry Ford introduced the moving assembly line, which improved production time for a T from over 12 hours to around 2.5 hours.

[rbishop26]

If we're talking about the same thing Henry, and it probably depends on where we're getting our information, I've read that the first moving assembly line at Ford was introduced Oct 7, 1913.
Because my 1914 was built Oct 7, 1913, I always tell everyone that it was built the first day of the moving assembly line. Doesn't mean my info is anymore correct than yours, just what I've read and, because it fits my situation, I'm sticking to it!

[HPetrino]

We are in complete agreement. It was Fall 1913.

[Bud Delong]

Trial and error pushed by hand then a rope with hooks on it.So is there a exact date carved in stone?? Do the fore mentioned ideas count or is it a actual conveyor chain? Bud.

[Joe Bell]

The conveyor chain that hauled the T's down the assembly line was called CC5 was mfg at Webster Industries in Tiffin Ohio, I retired out of there a few years ago and when I started an ole boy told me the story and had a picture of the original line in a picture frame in his locker, that an old boss when retired gave it to him as a young man. They still sell CC5 to Ford motor company to this day, when I was a young man we use to make 10 thousand links a week for Ford now they are lucky to sell a thousand links a month, it is a loud running chain since all steel.

[DanTreace]

A very good historical record lies in Ford Methods and Ford Shops, pages 112 and 135. Depends on 'first' for 'what' in Ford's moving assembly lines.The flywheel magneto was first to be sliding assembly line, April 1, 1913. Later engines were done that way too. Chassis assembly is noted 'up to Aug, 1913, Ford chassis was assembled in one location, all components being hand brought to each chassis assembly location. This routine was in Sept 1913, worked with 2 lines, each 600 feet long.

As noted, on Oct. 7, 1913 the first moving-assembly line, 150 feet long, completed 435 chassis in one 9-hour day.
The line was lengthened by degrees to 300 feet, as by Dec 1, 1913, 606 chassis completed in 9 hour day.

On January 14, 1914 the first endless chain driven line was installed, by Jan 19, four lines Some were 26" high, others 24" high for shorter workmen. Work went on to create 'high line'' so workmen didn't have to stoop to fit the parts on the moving line. By April 30, 1914. 1,212 chassis were done in one 8-hour day. The new 8 hour days being instituted in 1914, part of Ford's moving line efficiencies and for his employee relations.