How Did the Model T Improve Peoples Lives?

Before the 1920's Americans use to walk and ride their horses for transportation. But when Henry Ford came along, he invented the first car that would drastically change American lives. This car was so popular that 4 out 5 of Americans owned a car. Many Americans also bought it because it was affordable to the rich and poor. It was named car of the century by critics. The Model T improved peoples lives because it united families, improved working conditions, improved social lives between couples, and it was used in many different ways.

The first reason that the Model T improved peoples lives was by families being more united. For example, in a history book it says, "On Sundays many families hopped into their cars for short day trips." ( Nash, 380) This quote demonstrates the families being united because they would go for trips together. This was different than before because before families would not visit each other as often because they needed a car so they rode in trains and other transportation they had. Another example is from a website that says, " It became an integrated of life. Parents could drive to work. Families could visit friends and family who lived far away in their Model T." (http://www.angelfire.com/pscst/html) This quote shows that families could drive far to friends and families house which really changed their lives. Before they could live far so people would usually live close, but the Model T changed that. The last quote is from a website that states, "I will build a car for the great multitude. It will be large for the family, but small enough for the individual to run and care for." (www.modelt.org,1)

This quote illustrates that the Henry Ford made this car big enough so families could unite and travel in it. Before they couldn't travel as much cause it would cost them so this really changed lives. As a result, the Model T improved people's lives by creating this car for families to stay united and be united.

The second reason that the Model T improved people's lives was by improving working conditions. A piece of evidence is from a website that says, "Workers no longer needed to live close to their workplace, instead they live farther away and still arrive at their jobs." (www.angelfire.com/pscst/tech.html) This quote shows that the Model T improved workers lives because they could live far and still drive to their jobs and they didn't need to live close anymore. Before workers use to live close and they couldn't live where they wanted to. So this really helped there lives. Another piece of evidence states, "Not only did Henry Ford put the world on wheels but he helped raise the standard of living for thousands of workers." ( Quackenbush, 23) This quote demonstrates that the Model T improved working conditions because many workers were helped and it raised there standard living. There living was better with a car so it made there life better. The last evidence states, "Farmers used them as tractors, and to power farm machinery such as water pumps and wood saws. Many were used as trucks to haul just about everything you can imagine." (www.modelt.org) This quote illustrates that the Model T improved working conditions because they used them as tractors and trucks to help them do their field work in jobs. Before they would do it all by hand and this really made their working conditions safer and better. As a result, the Model T improved working conditions for workers to make it easier for them to work.

The third reason that the Model T improved lives was by improving social lives between couples. For example, the Model T provided a perfect way for people, especially adolescents, to socialize and make merry. There was a point where teens used the back seat for courtship and love. ( www.angelfire.com/pscst/tech.html) This demonstrates that the Model T improved social lives because Americans used there cars to socialize with each other in the back. Another example states, "The car changed American culture in countless ways. Dating habits of young people, Sunday outings of families, places people lived and vacationed, and ways people shopped." ( Nash, 380)

This quote illustrates that the Model T improved people's social lives because they would go on dates and shop in their Model T. Before they would walk and go in trains to shop and go on dates but they Model T solved their problems. The last example states, "The new car was a room on wheels, protected by weather, which teens enjoyed the privacy of closed cars."( Nash, 380) This quote shows that the Model T improved social lives because they used it as a room for making out and out together. They liked the closed doors because it was for all weathers and they could drive them whenever. As a result, it improved couples social lives because they had better relationships and it was used for dates.

The last reason that the Model T improved lives was because it was used in many different ways. For example, It was driven to the top of hills and used as stairs. They also used the engines as vacuum cleaners, newspaper presses and more. (www.lonestarts.com/trivia/100 other uses.html) This demonstrates that it was used in many different ways because they used it to make stuff and clean stuff they needed. Before they would make newspapers by hand and clean by hand so the Model T really helped get things done. Another example is that the Model T adopted the famous three-pedal control which were the clutch, reverse, and brake. (http://www.galegroup.comsjlibrary.org//modelt) This illustrates that it had many uses because it had a pedal control which other transportations didn't have and it was easy to drive. Mostly everyone drove this car because it was easy. The last example is that one minister even turned his Model T into a portable church. Some also used them