Ford’s Heritage Vault Makes The Ford Times Magazine Available To The Public
Ford’s expansion through the early 20th century was something to behold, the rapid growth of the company and the success of the Model T led to the introduction of the Ford Times in 190. This was to keep all employees that were scattered across many new locations up to date with all the latest company products and offerings. In only two years the magazine had evolved into a consumer publication which focussed more on lifestyle and travel and was enjoyed by many until the last issue was published in 1993.
Issues from 1964 to 1981 are available through the Ford Heritage Vault so far, the plan is to release more in the future.
The earliest issues centred around the U.S as they specifically catered to the countries branches and featured the Model T extensively with service instructions, parts availability and even sales and marketing advice.
In 1910 the magazine started to include more general lifestyle and travel articles to appeal to the general consumer.
World War 1 caused the magazine to pause in 1917 due to the constraints on using paper and other company resources. In 1943 the magazine came back strong to support Ford’s wartime employees working on the home front and featured articles on patriotic activities such as minimizing waste, gardening and generally being a good citizen and employee.
1946 saw the magazine change again, re-emerging as a more consumer facing publication that was to resonate with the baby boom generation and their desire for family road trips on North America’s now extensive highway system. Articles featured exciting destinations and reviews of the best roadside restaurants on route. Who knew Michigan had a copper mine?
In 1950 selected recipies that had been published in Ford Times were produced in a standalone cookbook, “Famous Recipes of Famous Taverns” which was nearly as popular as the Ford Times itself. A total of 9 cookbooks were produced with total sales in excess of 1 million copies.
It was the success of the Ford Times that led to other related publications including Continental Magazine, Lincoln Mercury Times and Ford Truck Times which were all printed for several decades.
Ford expanded into other international markets over the years including the UK and Canada tailoring the content for the local market but keeping to the same format.
By the time the 1970s had come the Ford Times was well established in American Culture with circulation reaching a peak of 2.1 million and a estimated readership of 8 million by the middle of the decade. Impressive for a company that wasn’t just in the publishing business.
All manufacturers have had their own magazines, but none quite delivered in the same way as the Ford Times or had those circulation figures.
You could get the Ford Times as a free subscription when you bought a new Ford product, or even subscribe on their own. Several generations of Ford owners, and I’m sure non owners too, came to love the articles, stories and travel guides.
If you’re a fan of Automotive history then head to the Heritage Vault and get a decade by decade look back at Ford’s cultural history.
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