Henry Ford

Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor company, inventor of mass-production methods, advocate of the $5 work day and the creator of the Model T. Despite the successes of the Ford Motor company with their newest automobile, the Model T, the shipment of these vehicles overseas was not a popular idea in Ford's mind. Great Britain and France both knew of the superior Model T and requested a good amount to be sent overseas for military purposes in the war. Any business-man at first might think “Money!” but due to Henry Ford’s outspoken pacifism he refused to send vehicles overseas. He did, however, at a later date send over a modest number of Model T chassis to Britain but strictly for use as an ambulance. These vehicles that Ford did send over before the United States’ involvement, were purely stock; Henry Ford refused to “militarize” the Model T or make any special orders for the foreign powers.

As a matter of fact, the Model T didn’t make a strong appearance in Europe until the United States entered the war. This is due in part to Henry Ford’s political views. Henry ford was a strong proponent of the isolationist movement, and didn’t want to mingle his business with the "European war" going on overseas. He viewed it as a threat to his business and a threat to his nation. If Ford were to ship his vehicles overseas, it could have made the United States a target in the eyes of Germany. Sending supplies to allied powers wouldn’t reflect good upon the United States or Henry Ford. If Ford had sent over the full barrage of Model Ts, the United States could have gotten involved in the war a lot sooner, especially if Germany intervened.