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Why was Ford's Model T so important to American history?

The Model T automobile, which was introduced by the Ford Motor Company in 1908, was the first car to be priced in the range of the average consumer. Called the "Tin Lizzie," it became known as "a motor car for the great multitude." Henry Ford (1863–1947), the originator of the Model T, wanted the automobile to be simple to operate, easy to service, comfortable, and affordable. After the assembly line (a factory arrangement in which work passes from one operation to the next until workers complete the product) made production more efficient, the cost of producing the Model T fell. In 1925 the Model T retailed for $295. Prior to this time, automobiles were considered luxury items, custom made for the wealthy. The idea of a car for the masses gained popularity, and eventually consumers came to believe that a car was a necessity. The Model T was...

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