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Soybean Car
In the early 1940s, Henry Ford experimented with making plastic parts for automobiles. These experiments resulted in what was described as a "plastic car made from soybeans." Although this automobile never made it into the museum's collections, it remains a good example of innovative design.
What is it?
The "Soybean Car" was actually a plastic-bodied car unveiled by Henry Ford on August 13, 1941 at Dearborn Days, an annual community festival.
What was it made of?
The frame, made of tubular steel, had 14 plastic panels attached to it. The car weighed 2000 lbs., 1000 lbs. lighter than a steel car. The exact ingredients of the plastic panels are unknown because no record of the formula exists today. One article claims that they were made from a chemical formula that, among many other ingredients, included soybeans, wheat, hemp, flax and ramie; while the man who was instrumental in creating the car, Lowell E. Overly, claims it was "…soybean fiber in a phenolic resin with formaldehyde used in the impregnation" (Davis, 51).
Who helped make/design it?
Henry Ford first put E.T. (Bob) Gregorie of the Styling Department in charge, but was not satisfied. He then transferred the project to the Soybean Laboratory in Greenfield Village and to the care of Lowell E. Overly, whose formal training was in tool and die design. His supervisor, Robert A. Boyer, a chemist, aided him.
What was it used for?
The car was exhibited at Dearborn Days in 1941. It was also trucked to the Michigan State Fair Grounds for display later that year. Many people ask us about Henry Ford's experiments with making plastic parts for automobiles in the early 1940s. These experiments resulted in what was described as a "plastic car made from soybeans." Although this automobile never made it into the museum's collections, we thought we would address the myriad questions we receive about this unique and fascinating vehicle.
Why was it built?
There were several reasons why Henry Ford wanted to build this car: 1.) He was looking for a project that would combine the fruits of industry with agriculture. 2.) He also claimed that the plastic panels made the car safer than traditional steel cars; and that the car could even roll over without being crushed. 3.) Another reason was due to a shortage of metal at the time. Henry hoped his new plastic material might replace the traditional metals used in cars.
Why weren't more 'soybean' cars built?
The outbreak of World War II suspended all auto production, and therefore the plastic car experiment. A second unit was in production at the time the war broke out, but the project was abandoned. By the end of the war the idea of a plastic car had fallen through the cracks due to energy being directed towards war recovery efforts.
Where is the car today?
According to Overly, the car was destroyed by E.T. Gregorie (Davis, 51).
Note
The famous picture of Henry Ford hitting a car with an ax is not a picture of the soybean car. It was actually Ford's personal car with a plastic rear deck lid made to fit it. He liked to demonstrate the strength of the plastic, and the ax he used would fly out of his hands, about 15 ft. (a rubber boot was placed on the sharp end of the ax) into the air.
Soybean Car Source Notes
All sources available in the Benson Ford Research Center Collections.
- Bryan, Ford R. Beyond the Model T. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1997, 112-113.
- Davis, Rusty. "Henry's Plastic Car: An Interview with Mr. Lowell E. Overly." V8 Times[?], 46-51.
- "Ford Builds a Plastic Auto Body." Modern Plastics. September, 1941.
- Lewis, David L., The Public Image of Henry Ford. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1976, 283-285.
- McCann-Erickson, Inc., Penobscot Building Detroit, MI. "Ford Completes First Plastic Body as Steel Goes on Priority List." August 14, 1941.
- Wik, Reynold M. Henry Ford and Grass Roots America. Ann Arbor, MI: The University of Michigan Press, 1972, 151-152.
Related Content
Artifacts Related to Soybean Car
Ford Souvenir Salt & Pepper Set From Texas Centennial Exposition, 1936
Artifact
Salt and pepper set
Date Made
1936
Summary
Scientists at Ford's Soybean Laboratory developed a variety of plastic products made from soybean solids left when the oil was extracted, including gear shift knobs. These soybean gear shift knobs were converted into a set of souvenir salt and pepper shakers for the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition.
Creators
Place of Creation
Object ID
99.115.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Arthur and Eileen Lamminen
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Ford Souvenir Salt & Pepper Set From Texas Centennial Exposition, 1936
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Soybean Meal Used in Making Automobile Parts, Ford Rouge Plant, 1935
Artifact
Photographic print
Summary
Starting in 1931, Henry Ford invested much money and research into soybeans. Ford viewed the crop as a bridge between agriculture and industry, and he used soybean oil and soybean-based plastics in Ford Motor Company vehicles. At the Rouge's processing building, soybeans were crushed and mixed with hexane -- a chemical that extracted the soybean oil.
Keywords
Object ID
EI.1929.486
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Soybean Meal Used in Making Automobile Parts, Ford Rouge Plant, 1935
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
George Washington Carver Holding a Skein of Soy Fiber at the Soybean Laboratory, Greenfield Village, 1939
Details
George Washington Carver Holding a Skein of Soy Fiber at the Soybean Laboratory, Greenfield Village, 1939
Artifact
Photographic print
Summary
A mutual interest in industrial products made from plants brought Henry Ford and the scientist George Washington Carver together as colleagues and friends. Ford developed plastics and fibers from soybeans. Here, on a 1939 visit to Dearborn, George Washington Carver is seated in the Soybean Laboratory in Greenfield Village, holding a skein of soy fiber in his hands.
Place of Creation
Keywords
United States, Michigan, Dearborn
Carver, George Washington, 1864?-1943
Object ID
84.1.1660.P.188.26232
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
George Washington Carver Holding a Skein of Soy Fiber at the Soybean Laboratory, Greenfield Village, 1939
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
Robert Boyer with Soybean Plastic Car Scale Model and Frame, 1941
Artifact
Photographic print
Summary
Robert Boyer, a chemist, oversaw a series of experiments at Greenfield Village's Soybean Laboratory. The undertaking resulted in this plastic-bodied car. Henry Ford had a strong interest in plastic automobile parts. Always partial to projects combining industry with agriculture, Ford hoped plastic made from soybeans might be developed into a safe, strong substitute for traditional metals.
Place of Creation
Keywords
Object ID
84.1.1660.P.189.16400
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Ford Motor Company.
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Get more details in Digital Collections at:
Robert Boyer with Soybean Plastic Car Scale Model and Frame, 1941
What is The Henry Ford?
The national attraction for discovering your ingenuity while exploring America’s spirit of innovation. There is always much to see and do at The Henry Ford.
