Growing Up in Akron and the Rubber Industry

Bonus Stop: Edzel Ford’s home, son of Henry Ford! After touring Greenfield Village I decided I wanted to go to a bonus stop instead of another day at Greenfield Village. I was stunned by the outward aesthetic  similarities of the Stan Hywet mansion. My wheels were spinning and memories flooded my mind from all the visits I had going to Stan Hywet from going with my mom to even working there. 

Railroads

The Stan Hywet mansion is located in Akron, OH, my hometown, the “Rubber Capitol of the WORLD”! I shared a lot about the history of Firestone and Goodyear, who used a lot of rubber making tires, in this episode. But on this day of my fieldtrip, I thought about what made Ford so successful? It was making the gasoline engine car affordable for more people, specifically farmers. I gave a little background on Rockefeller and Vanderbilt too to prove my point of “access equals success”. And remember in the other homes the extensive libraries? Access to education and knowledge, right? And you know what made those two successful? The railroads because it provided transportation and access to more products and places. They were able to get their products to more people.  And what do you think gave the North the upper hand in the Civil War? The railroads because they could transport supplies. And the other thing that made Ford so successful was his ability to pay his employees a higher pay than other companies. He was making more profit therefore able to pay his employees a higher rate. 

I couldn’t help but to think about Eleanor Ford’s role (Edzel’s wife) in their home. She lived for 35 years still after Edzel passed. She had a sitting room off of her bedroom upstairs, that she turned into her study. She ran her household manager responsibilities from that study. And although she wasn’t fond of the entertainment wing, she knew it was expected of her to entertain. She was very philanthropic and sat on many boards. But she was the queen of productivity. You see she would have multiple board meetings going at one time and then she could just pop in and out as they were being conducted. Genius!

Internet

Just like railroads were the gateway to transporting goods and people, now Google, Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft transport information. And just like the Goodyears and Rockefellers could get their products to more people, it is the same way I can impact more lives. They have been able to be really successful in a shorter amount of time than before the internet and able to provide better benefits for their employees due to their success.  

Organize 365® could not be what it is today without the internet. It gets more products to more people. It provides a more level playing field because it is accessible to all. And it has allowed me to learn about business and manufacturing. And because of the internet … we have podcasts! Yet another avenue to learn and/or get your message out. I always like to think of how women made their mark on change in society through their uniqueness.

Artificial Intellagance

I don’t even know what to do with AI! (sigh) As technology advances so too does our ability for everyone to be successful due to a more level playing field for small businesses. Technology, transportation, and information provides access to more education. I wanted to take this series to think about where we have been as women, how it is now as women, and where we are going for women. What change could you have on society by doing what you are uniquely created to do? 

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