Episode 67: Ford Model T

How do you get from one place to another? In Oklahoma, the most common answer would be “by car,” although this wasn’t always the case, especially in the early 20th century. During the territorial and early statehood years, Oklahomans relied on horses for much of their personal transportation. It's not that cars weren’t available, they were just less accessible to the general population. There were less than 100,000 registered cars in Oklahoma until Henry Ford released a car that was accessible, affordable, and able to be used in various conditions.

What was this car? It was the Ford Model T. The Model T was released in 1908 and manufactured until 1927, though it was a common sight for decades after Ford retired the model. It was even given the Car of the Century award for the 20th century by the Global Automotive Elections Foundation. For many, the Model T was the first car they bought, and for others, it was the first car they had ever seen. This month on Amplified Oklahoma, we’ll discuss the history of the Model T and share stories of the many ways Oklahomans took advantage of this affordable automobile. From everyday errands to teenage mischief, we’ll hear how this new mode of transportation impacted the lives of ordinary Oklahomans.