Henry Ford was born on July 30, 1863. Everyone must be aware of his contributions to the automobile industry in particular and manufacturing in general. He introduced the assembly line and was at the forefront of raising workers salaries into the despised living-wage realm. Overlooked however, is the fact that in 1942, Ford patented an automobile constructed primarily from plastics derived from soybeans, and which was powered by an engine that ran on ethanol. The roject went nowhere however and Ford only reluctantly abandoned the idea.

Ford was a big fan of soybeans, and he went out of his way to develop a friendship with George Washington Carver in order to learn more about that versatile plant.