The Soybean Car: Henry Ford's Pioneering Contribution to Sustainable Automobility

Photo Source - Google

In the 1940s, Henry Ford conceived the 'Soybean Car', a vehicle made from agricultural produce, to combat metal scarcity.

[{"selector":"#anim-06b4f1db-d3d6-4e86-8d15-a786ce205c2b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(30.99365222842022%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source - Google

The Soybean Car was created using soybean fiber in phenolic resin, with formaldehyde, as stated by Lowell E. Overly, the project contributor.

[{"selector":"#anim-17b69138-09e6-483f-918e-30fa5899637f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(27.96874986631523%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source - Google

The Soybean Car, unveiled in 1941, drew attention for its innovative response to World War II's steel rationing.

[{"selector":"#anim-71cba17a-a4df-45ff-b8d5-a0fc098f15fb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(30.593749882243625%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source - Google

Despite its revolutionary promise, the Soybean Car remained unrealized.

[{"selector":"#anim-1830eb3c-8d38-4520-ab19-a6cadf9a7e39 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.266052968514916%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source - Google

Ford aimed to combine industry and agriculture, improve safety, and tackle the war-induced metal shortage with his plastic car venture.

[{"selector":"#anim-bd5506fb-6fbb-4d58-839e-c3e3e9830dcf [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(27.96874986631523%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source - Google

Ford's vision was to 'grow automobiles from the soil'.

[{"selector":"#anim-ce9cea7f-73bc-499c-9b05-4da51c0977fe [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(27.68749986460861%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source - Google

Though reported to be made from soy-based plastic, experts speculate that conventional phenolic plastic was used in the Soybean Car.

[{"selector":"#anim-6522112b-833f-4cea-9098-97768e1f2d66 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(30.593749882243625%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source - Google

Today, the Soybean Car reminds us of the potential of past innovations in achieving sustainability in the auto industry.

[{"selector":"#anim-37e52e8e-649a-41d4-b80d-58fd128f9257 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(21.874999829338595%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source - Google