Henry Ford was born in 1863 and showed an early interest in engineering, constructing his first steam engine at age 15. He went on to create his first gasoline engine in 1893 and completed his first car in 1896. Ford founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903 with the goal of producing an affordable, sturdy car for average Americans. The company's Model T, introduced in 1908, became very popular due to Ford's use of the assembly line which lowered costs and allowed many Americans to purchase cars for the first time. Over 15 million Model T cars were sold before production ended in 1927. Ford passed away in 1945 after retiring from his company which he had turned over to his grandson.