By Chicago Times Magazine 

August 12, 2024

On this day in 1908, the Ford Motor Company built the first production version of the Model T. Known as “tin Lizzie”, the Model T would not be released to the public until October 1, 1908 and would remain in production until 1927. With improvements in the assembly line and fabrication methods, Ford was able to offer a low-priced high-quality automobile to the general public and is considered the first mass produced car that was affordable to middle class Americans. By the end of its run, nearly 15 million Model Ts were sold.