Auto industry / Science & invention
József Galamb
1881–1955 · mechanical engineer, chief designer of the Ford Model T
Hungarian engineer from Makó who became Ford's chief designer and drew up much of the Model T at the Piquette Avenue Plant.
- Born
Makó, Hungary- Died
Detroit, Michigan
aged 74- Birth name
- Galamb József
- Also known as
- Joseph A. Galamb · Galamb József
- Detroit years
- 1905–1955
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Galamb was born in Makó, Hungary, trained as a mechanical engineer in Budapest and worked at the Diósgyőr steelworks and in German auto plants before emigrating in 1903. After jobs elsewhere, he knocked on doors in Detroit and in December 1905, aged 24, was hired as a designer at Ford's Piquette Avenue Plant, then a small shop assembling cars from bought-in parts. After redesigning the Model N's cooling system he became chief designer and worked out many parts of the Model T in the plant's experimental room, alongside fellow Hungarian Eugene Farkas and under Childe Harold Wills. From 1915 he worked on the Fordson tractor, and in the 1930s his ties helped Ford begin assembling cars in Hungary. He retired on doctor's orders in 1944 and died in Detroit in 1955. Makó honors him with a memorial.
Highlights
- Joined Ford Motor Company in December 1905
- Chief designer of many Model T components, 1907–1908
- Worked on the Fordson tractor from 1915
- Helped bring Ford assembly to Hungary in 1935
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 2
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Worked here · 1905–1910
Ford Piquette Avenue Plant
Where he was hired in 1905 and helped design the Model T in the experimental room; today a museum.
Worked here · 1910s
Highland Park Ford Plant
Closed · 1910–1974
Ford's engineering moved here with Model T production in 1910; surviving buildings are a National Historic Landmark.