Terraced Hillside Ready for Planting of Rubber Trees at Fordlandia, Brazil, 1931

Summary

Henry Ford established Fordlandia and Belterra in the Brazilian rainforest to supply rubber for automobile production. He began shipping machinery and supplies to the Amazon in 1928. Ford paid the indigenous workers good wages and supplied various amenities -- he also imposed foreign work traditions and behavioral restrictions which the workers resented. The plantations failed and Ford Motor Company disposed of the project in 1945.

Henry Ford established Fordlandia and Belterra in the Brazilian rainforest to supply rubber for automobile production. He began shipping machinery and supplies to the Amazon in 1928. Ford paid the indigenous workers good wages and supplied various amenities -- he also imposed foreign work traditions and behavioral restrictions which the workers resented. The plantations failed and Ford Motor Company disposed of the project in 1945.

Artifact

Photographic print

Date Made

15 August 1931

Subject Date

15 August 1931

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

95.34.1.P.833.56511

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Linen (Material)
Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 10.875 in

Width: 8 in

Inscriptions

Number in image lower right corner: 56511- 8-15-31 Typed on back upper left corner: TERRACED HILLSIDE

Connect 3

Discover curious connections between artifacts.

Learn More