7 Surprising Innovations Ford Developed Almost a Century Ago

Hard to believe now, but there was a time when your vacuum didn’t have to be connected to the wi-fi network to operate, and the washing machine couldn’t ping your phone. These days, cars can get updates over the air, but when Henry Ford was still around, engineers had to think outside the box to make automobiles more enjoyable for motorists.

Looking back at Ford V8s from the 1930s, it’s impressive to see the level of thoughtfulness put into the vehicles designed in Dearborn. For instance, without the millions of lines of code that breathe life into today’s cars, engineers needed to make sure the flathead engine in a Ford sedan could run as smoothly in the thin air of mountainous regions as it did in the Great Plains. What is achieved now through a barrage of sensors had to be accomplished through mechanical genius and organic materials like leather.

Craig Cole from AutoEsoterica spent years restoring a 1936 Ford sedan, tearing it down to the frame and putting it back together, piece by piece. During that process, he learned first-hand all the subtle ways engineers made these cars more functional and accessible than the generations that came before.

For a breakdown of some of the most under-appreciated innovations that changed cars forever, check out AutoEsoterica on YouTube.

AutoEsoterica is home to the under-appreciated and fantastical in car culture. Frontman Craig Cole is a life-long car enthusiast whose videos range from the restoration progress of his vintage Fords to design analysis and industry insights from contributors Jason White and Jim Hall.

The TTAC Creators Series tells stories and amplifies creators from all corners of the car world, including culture, dealerships, collections, modified builds and more.