Recasting the Machine Age: Henry Ford s Village Industries

Introduction: Henry Ford, centralization, and decentralization -- Henry Ford's village industries: origins, contexts, rationales -- Decentralized technology in the village industries: scale, scope, system, vision -- Farm and factory united -- Buildings and workforce -- Administration and relationship to local communities -- Workers' experiences -- Unionization -- The decentralists and other visionaries -- American industry also preaches decentralization -- Decline of the village industries during World War II and after -- Contemporary renewal of the village industries in high-tech America -- Conclusion: Henry Ford evolves from mechanical to social engineer -- Appendix: basic facts about and present status of the nineteen village industries.