May Explode If Heated: The Explosive History of the Ford Brothers

The Ford brothers, Henry and Edsel, were pioneers of the automotive industry. Their Model T revolutionized transportation, making cars affordable for the average American. But their early cars were plagued by a serious problem: they could explode if they were heated.

May Explode if Heated (Ford Brothers Book 5)

by Sandra Alex

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3156 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	284 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Library Binding	:	128 pages
Reading age	:	15 - 17 years
Grade level	:	12 and up
Item Weight	:	7.5 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.06 x 0.49 x 7.81 inches
Paperback	:	214 pages

FREE

The problem was caused by the fuel system. The early Ford cars used a gravity-fed fuel system, which meant that the fuel flowed from the tank to the carburetor by gravity. This system was simple and inexpensive, but it had a major flaw: if the fuel line was damaged, the fuel could leak out and pool on the ground. If the fuel was ignited, it could cause a fire or even an explosion.

The Ford brothers were aware of the problem, but they did not take steps to fix it. They were more concerned with producing cars quickly and cheaply than with safety. As a result, the Ford Model T became known as the "Tin Lizzie" because it was so prone to accidents.

In 1923, the Ford Motor Company introduced the Model A, which had a more modern fuel system that was less prone to leaks. But even the Model A was not completely safe. In 1927, a Model A exploded in Dearborn, Michigan, killing the driver and his passenger. The Ford Motor Company was sued by the families of the victims, and the case was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.

Despite the lawsuits, the Ford Motor Company continued to produce cars with potentially explosive fuel systems. In the 1970s, the company introduced the Pinto, which was known for its tendency to explode in rear-end collisions. The Pinto was involved in several fatal accidents, and the Ford Motor Company was again sued by the victims' families.

In 1980, the Ford Motor Company recalled the Pinto and paid $125 million to settle the lawsuits. The company also agreed to make changes to the Pinto's fuel system to make it less explosive. But the damage had been done. The Ford Pinto had become a symbol of the company's disregard for safety.

Today, the Ford Motor Company has a much better safety record. The company's cars are now equipped with a variety of safety features, including airbags, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability control. But the legacy of the Ford brothers' explosive cars still haunts the company.

Additional Information

Here are some additional details about the Ford brothers' explosive cars:

• The Ford Model T was known as the "Tin Lizzie" because it was made of thin, lightweight steel that was prone to rusting and denting. The car's body was also very fragile, and it was not uncommon for it to be damaged in even minor accidents.
• The Ford Model A was a significant improvement over the Model T in terms of safety. It had a more modern fuel system that was less prone to leaks, and its body was made of thicker, more durable steel. However, the Model A was still not completely safe, and it was involved in several fatal accidents.
• The Ford Pinto was a subcompact car that was introduced in the 1970s. The Pinto was designed to be affordable and fuel-efficient, but it was also very unsafe. The car's fuel tank was located in front of the rear axle, and it was prone to rupturing in rear-end collisions. The Pinto was involved in several fatal accidents, and the Ford Motor Company was sued by the victims' families.

The Ford brothers' explosive cars are a reminder of the importance of safety in automobile design. Today, the Ford Motor Company has a much better safety record, but the legacy of the Ford brothers' cars still haunts the company.

May Explode if Heated (Ford Brothers Book 5)

by Sandra Alex

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3156 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	284 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Library Binding	:	128 pages
Reading age	:	15 - 17 years
Grade level	:	12 and up
Item Weight	:	7.5 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.06 x 0.49 x 7.81 inches
Paperback	:	214 pages

FREE