Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black.
Meaning
Ford's well-known remark about the Model T describes his bet on standardization: one design, built the same way, kept cost low and volume high. Constraints can drive invention. Try limiting your next project to a single clear option instead of many, and see what gets done faster.
Source: My Life and Work (1922)
About the author
(1863–1947) was an American industrialist and founder of the Ford Motor Company. He revolutionized manufacturing through the introduction of assembly line production, making automobiles affordable for the general public. Ford’s innovations transformed industry and modern transportation. He also introduced higher wages for workers, influencing labor practices. While his legacy includes controversy, his impact on industrialization is undeniable. Henry Ford’s contributions continue to shape manufacturing, business practices, and economic development worldwide.
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