Wednesday 17th October 1917
Production began in Dearborn, Michigan of the Fordson, the world’s first mass-produced tractor. The tractor used a 20 hp (15 kW), inline four-cylinder engine, which was similar to the Ford Model T engine in many respects. Like many engines of its day, it was multifuel-capable; it was usually tuned for gasoline or kerosene, but alcohol could also be burned. It took thirty hours and forty minutes to convert the raw materials into the 4,000 parts used for the tractor assembly. At this time, the Fordson sold for US $750; each cost $567.14 to manufacture (including labor, materials and overhead), leaving a profit of $182.86.