As a youngster, Henry Ford showed his mechanical aptitude by constructing a steam engine when he was 15, and became an expert watch repairman before he was twenty. His first car, built while he was an engineer with the Edison Illuminating Company, made its first successful run in 1896. In 1899 he resigned from Edison to become chief engineer for the Detroit Automobile Company, remaining with them until 1902. In that year, Ford left Detroit Automobile (later reorganized as the Henry Ford Company, and finally the Cadillac Automobile Company) because of policy differences. Six months later he organized Ford Motor Company. A proponent of light, serviceable cars, Ford on Oct. 1, 1908, introduced the Model T and produced in the 19 years that followed over 15 million “Tin Lizzies”. 1927 marked the end of “T” production, followed by the Model A. Ford established a $5 minimum wage in 1914, increasing it to $6 in 1922, introduced the eight hour day and profit-sharing in 1914, and adopted a 40-hour week in 1926. Mr. Ford played an active role in the management of the Ford Motor Company until 1945, when his grandson, Henry Ford II, was named president of the company.