Part 4/13:
Amidst the war and rising industrialization of the 1940s, Henry Ford dreamt of a sustainable vehicle made from hemp, both in its body and fuel source. Ford’s hemp car showcased an innovative use of materials with tensile strength greater than steel, and its biofuel promised a cleaner alternative to gasoline. However, with an expanding oil industry dominating the market, Ford's environmentally sustainable vision faced significant pushback.
The Hemp Car captured public attention during its 1941 demonstration but ultimately faded into obscurity. Legal restrictions surrounding hemp, combined with World War II's industrial shifts and powerful petroleum interests, ensured that Ford's groundbreaking initiative was largely forgotten.