Audrey Rocio Ramirez

Chief Mechanic

Age: 18

Birthplace: Dearborn, Michigan

 

Expertise:

Began working in her father’s shop as a mechanics assistant in 1901.  She displayed an early aptitude for mechanical engines; was promoted to full apprentice at the age of seven.  Began work at Henry Ford Automotive 1905 at the age of nine as journeyman mechanic.  Was given first supervisory position at age 11.  Instrumental in labor negotiations with fledgling Automobile Workers Union, 1909.  Credited with developing prototype Assembly Line Production method, 1909.  Developed gear-driven centrifugal pump cooling system, 1910.  Assisted in development of Ford Reduction-Gear Steering System (nonreversible) 1912.

 

Background:

The daughter of master mechanic Manuel Ramirez (retired from Whitmore Industries) Audrey Rocio displayed remarkable mechanical acuity from the time she could first walk.  At the age of eighteen months, she could completely disassemble and reassemble any clock in the Ramirez household.  By the time Audrey was three, her mother, Ana Ramirez, found that her daughter was able to foil any lock she encountered.  Mrs. Ramirez despaired of trying to keep sweets in the house, as it became plain that no matter how complex or expensive the pantry lock was, Audrey could beat it within minutes.  Although nearly as aggressive as her older sister Nena, Audrey was drawn to the calm of her father’s workshop.  At the age of four, Audrey rebuilt a ’96 Quardracycle Runabout and it became clear to Manuel that his daughter had what he called “the touch.”  Although he could never tell his paying customers that a toddler was repairing their automobiles, Manuel took his daughter on as an apprentice.  In 1905, the Ramirez family moved to Detroit, where both father and daughter took night jobs at the Henry Ford Automotive Plant to supplement the income of Manuel’s shop.  Audrey blossomed in the giant well-appointed machine shop at Ford.  She began a period of research and invention, where she specialized in gear drives and hydraulics.  Her aggressive nature eventually put her in the forefront of the new automotive labor movement.  Henry Ford, being a reasonable man, learned early on to take Audrey Ramirez seriously.  The Ford Motor Plant is now recognized as one of the most enlightened and well-paying manufacturers in the automobile industry.  Manuel Ramirez, upon his retirement, stated that only his daughter could replace him, since he has never met a more gifted mechanic.