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Edsel Bryant Ford (November 6, 1893 – May 26, 1943) was the only son of Henry Ford and president of Ford Motor Company from 1919 to his death in 1943. His eldest son was Henry Ford II. Edsel worked closely with his father, as sole heir to the business, but was keen to develop cars more exciting than the Model T ("Tin Lizzie"), in line with his personal tastes. Even as president, he had trouble persuading the older man to allow any departure from this formula. Only a change in market conditions enabled him to develop the more fashionable Model A in 1927. Edsel also founded the Mercury division and was responsible for the Lincoln Zephyr and Lincoln Continental. He introduced important features, such as hydraulic brakes, and greatly strengthened the company’s overseas production. Edsel was a major art benefactor in Detroit, and also financed Admiral Richard Byrd’s polar explorations. He died of stomach cancer aged 49, with his father resuming presidency of the company, before handing it over to Henry Ford II. The range of cars launched by Ford in 1957 under the name Edsel is remembered as one of the classic marketing failures. ==Life and career== Edsel Ford was born in Detroit, Michigan, US, as the only child of Clara and Henry Ford, being named for Edsel Ruddiman, one of Henry Ford's closest childhood friends. Edsel was groomed to take over the family automobile business, and grew up tinkering on cars with his father. He became secretary of Ford in 1915, and married Eleanor Lowthian Clay (1896–1976), the niece of department store owner J. L. Hudson, on November 1, 1916.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Henry Ford Estate: The Ford Family )〕 Together, they had four children: Henry Ford II (1917–1987), Benson Ford (1919–1978), Josephine Clay Ford (1923–2005), and William Clay Ford (1925–2014).〔1930 United States Census for Detroit, Michigan.〕 They made their home at 2171 Iroquois St, in the Indian Village neighborhood of Detroit. Ford went to The Hotchkiss School, in Lakeville, Connecticut, and the Detroit University School. His family donated to both institutions. The school library at Hotchkiss is named the Edsel Ford Memorial Library. The younger Ford showed more interest than his father in flashier styling for automobiles. He indulged this proclivity in part with the purchase of the Lincoln Motor Company in 1922. His affinity for sports cars was demonstrated in his personal vehicles: Edsel bought the first MG motorcar imported to the US. In 1932, he had an aluminum, boat-tailed speedster automobile custom designed by Ford's first designer, E.T. (Bob) Gregorie. This car had several features not available on any other car. Most of the design features appeared in many Ford models throughout history. The car had Ford's brand-new V8, the first low-cost, eight-cylinder engine. Many car collectors around the world have tried to locate the '32 and acquire it for their personal collection, but have been unsuccessful thus far. The one-of-kind was the first collective creation by designer E.T. "Bob" Gregorie and Edsel Ford. The car was the prototype that never went into production. The car is considered one of the most valuable and the world's first "hot rod" by many car experts and historians. Two years later, Edsel had another car designed, this one a low-riding, aluminum-bodied speedster. The latter two cars he kept for the remainder of his life, and along with the Lincoln Zephyr, inspired the design of the Lincoln Continental. After becoming the president of Ford, Edsel long advocated the introduction of a more modern automobile to replace the Model T, but was repeatedly overruled by his father. Dwindling market share finally made introduction of a new model inevitable: the Model A. During the design of the Model A in 1927, Henry Ford assured mechanical quality and reliability, allowing his son to develop the body, with the help of designer József Galamb. Edsel also prevailed upon his father to allow the inclusion of four-wheel mechanical brakes and a sliding-gear transmission on this model. The resulting Model A was a commercial success, selling over four million during four years of production. As president, Edsel Ford often disagreed with his father on major decisions and was occasionally humiliated in public by the older man.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Edsel Bryant Ford )〕 The relationship between the father and son was always close, but always fraught with unhealthy aspects.〔, pp. 301–333.〕 Edsel managed to introduce many lasting changes. He founded and named the Mercury division. He was responsible for the Lincoln Zephyr and Continental. He significantly strengthened Ford Motors' overseas production, and modernized the company's cars, such as by introducing hydraulic brakes. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Edsel Ford」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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