Henry Ford (July 30, 1863 – April 7, 1947)  founded the Ford Motor Company and developed the assembly line technique of mass production. His introduction of the Model T automobile revolutionized American society and the Detroit region, and his influence is felt across the region to this day.

Ford was born in Greenfield Township, Dearborn on South Road (now Ford Road, M-153), Southeast corner of Division Road (now Greenfield Road).  The home was preserved and moved to Greenfield Village, now known as The Henry Ford, in Dearborn.  Ford lived, as well as worked, in Detroit after his marriage, until his Fair Lane mansion was built in Dearborn.  Note that Fair Lane, the estate, is two words, which name could not be used by the nearby, similarly-named mall, Fairlane (one word) Town Center.  Early production plants were on Piquette Street, East Grand Boulevard (Northeast corner of Woodward Avenue) and Highland Park.  Ford was buried in the St. Martha's Episcopal Church yard on Townline Road (now 15801 Joy Road) near Greenfield Road.