COM 114: Informative Speech #1Ben Rosen

Specific Purpose Statement: To inform my audience about the production of the Ford Model T.IntroductionI. Attention Getter: "I will build a car for the great multitude. It will be large enough for the family, but small enough for the individual to run and care for. It will be constructed of the best materials, by the best men to be hired, after the simplest designs that modern engineering can devise. But it will be so low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one - and enjoy with his family the blessing of hours of pleasure in God's great open spaces. (Ford, 1922)

II. Relevance Statement: According to the History Channel, during the 19-year production of the car, the Model T comprised nearly 40 percent of all automobiles sold in the US.

III. Credibility Statement: As someone who travels by car everyday, I was interested in how the automobile transformed from a luxury product owned by only the upper class, to a common item owned by nearly every American. I have researched how the Model T allowed this change to occur and will report my findings to the class.

IV. Thesis Statement: The fabrication of the first Ford Model T on September 27th, 1908 transformed the automobile industry by introducing new mass-production methods and creating an affordable form of transportation for the average American.

Transition: First, Im going to discuss the methods used in the production of the Model T.

Body

I. Henry Ford used techniques to build the Model T which had never been seen before in the automotive industry.A. The Ford Company built the Model T on a moving assembly line.1. The Model T was built using identical parts, known as interchangeable parts, which allowed every car to be built exactly the same (Goss, n.d.).2. Building the car on an assembly line allowed unskilled workers to work in the factories, because they only had to learn how to put the same identical piece on the car over and over again.B. The Model T was mass-produced in large production plants made specifically for the automobile.1. Fords plants were able to build one Model T every 24 seconds (History, n.d.-b).2. From 1908 until 1927 the Ford Motor Company was able to build over 15 million Model Ts (Brooke, 2008).

Directional Transition: Now that you understand how the Ford Model T was built, I will take a look at the affordability of this automobile.

II. The Model T was the first affordable automobile for the typical American worker.A. The price of the Model T was reduced from $850 in 1908 to less than $300 in 1925 (History, n.d.).B. When the Model T became damaged or began to rust, due to the convenience of the interchangeable parts, owners could inexpensively order the necessary replacement parts instead of having to buy a whole new car.1. Using replacement parts and a little creativity, the Model T could be used for more than just transportation. i. By removing one wheel and replacing it with a pulley and leather drive belt, the Model T could be used as a stationary power plant for milling grain. ii. A little ingenuity allowed the Model T to turn the saw blade of a mobile lumber mill for a carpenter or woodworker (Brooke, 2008). 2.The Model T had long lifespan due to the simplicity and ease of replacing broken parts.

Transition: Given these points, you can see the revolutionary ideas that were implemented in the production of the Model T.

Conclusion

I. Restatement of Thesis: With the construction of the first Ford Model T on September 27, 1908, the automobile industry was introduced to a new mass-production method of building cars in a manner that made it affordable for many Americans.

II. Clincher: Over 253 million automobiles are owned in the United States today (Hirsch, 2014). Without the advancements made to the industry by Henry Ford and his invention of the Model T, the automobile may not have become the reliable and affordable transportation method that it is today.

References

Brooke, L. (2008, July 19). Mr. Ford's T: Mobility With Versatility. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/20/automobiles/collectibles/20FORD.html?_r=0Ford, H., & Crowther, S. (1922). IV. In My life and work. Garden City: Doubleday, Page & Company.Goss, J. (n.d.). How Henry Ford's Assembly Line Changed Manufacturing. Retrieved from http://history1900s.about.com/od/1910s/a/Ford--Assembly-Line.htmHirsch, J. (2014, June 9). 253 million cars and trucks on U.S. roads; average age is 11.4 years. Retrieved from http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-ihs-automotive-average-age-car-20140609-story.htmlHistory. (n.d.-a). Henry Ford. A&E Television Networks. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/henry-fordHistory. (n.d.-b). Model T. A&E Television Networks. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/model-t