Harold Brock played an integral part in the development of the Ford Select-O-Speed and the John Deere Power Shift.
This was at the 2009 Half Century of Progress show. All of the tractors in this tent have a Power Shift transmission.
In 1929, at the age of 15, Mr. Brock entered the Ford Trade and Apprentice School in the 1200 acre Ford Rouge Factory in Dearborn, MI, which was the largest industrial complex at that time and employed 100.000 people. While there he was introduced to Henry Ford, who became his mentor. Brock worked at Ford for 30 years, becoming chief engineer of tractor engineering. Henry Ford surrounded himself with many great people of the time and Harold Brock was a witness to Ford's personal experiences with Thomas Edison (Henry Ford's mentor), George Washington Carver, Harvey Firestone, Luther Burbank, Harry Ferguson, Edsel Ford, Henry Ford II and Lee Iacocca.
In 1959, Brock went to work for John Deere Waterloo Works developing tractors. Harold Brock played an integral part in the development of the modern tractor through his work at both the Ford Motor Company and John Deere. He made a huge contribution in the design of the N-Series Ford Tractor and the John Deere 4020, which are considered two of the most classic tractor designs. He is a longtime member and Fellow of both the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and the Society for Automotive Engineers. Brock is also former chairman of the board of Hawkeye Community College.
In addition to his impact on the engineering world Mr. Brock has also had a significant impact on the educational opportunities of youth. In 1965, Harold Brock was one of four community members who petitioned the Iowa Legislature to provide funding for a two-year technical college in Northeast Iowa. Due to his leadership and vision, the Hawkeye Institute of Technology went from an institution serving 227 students to a comprehensive community college serving more than 5,800 students. He was a board member of Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa for more than 30-years and remains active in the orgainization. He also set up a scholarship fund at Hawkeye Community College.
At 94, he continues an amazingly active schedule talking to groups and inspiring youth by telling personal stories about being a 15-year old apprentice of Henry Ford including the personal experiences that he had with Henry Ford, Luther Burbank, Harvey Firestone, Harry Ferguson, George Washington Carver, Thomas Edison and later, Lee Iacocca. He nthralls audiences, sepecially the younger members, and receives standing ovations.
This was at the 2009 Half Century of Progress show. All of the tractors in this tent have a Power Shift transmission.
In 1929, at the age of 15, Mr. Brock entered the Ford Trade and Apprentice School in the 1200 acre Ford Rouge Factory in Dearborn, MI, which was the largest industrial complex at that time and employed 100.000 people. While there he was introduced to Henry Ford, who became his mentor. Brock worked at Ford for 30 years, becoming chief engineer of tractor engineering. Henry Ford surrounded himself with many great people of the time and Harold Brock was a witness to Ford's personal experiences with Thomas Edison (Henry Ford's mentor), George Washington Carver, Harvey Firestone, Luther Burbank, Harry Ferguson, Edsel Ford, Henry Ford II and Lee Iacocca.
In 1959, Brock went to work for John Deere Waterloo Works developing tractors. Harold Brock played an integral part in the development of the modern tractor through his work at both the Ford Motor Company and John Deere. He made a huge contribution in the design of the N-Series Ford Tractor and the John Deere 4020, which are considered two of the most classic tractor designs. He is a longtime member and Fellow of both the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers and the Society for Automotive Engineers. Brock is also former chairman of the board of Hawkeye Community College.
In addition to his impact on the engineering world Mr. Brock has also had a significant impact on the educational opportunities of youth. In 1965, Harold Brock was one of four community members who petitioned the Iowa Legislature to provide funding for a two-year technical college in Northeast Iowa. Due to his leadership and vision, the Hawkeye Institute of Technology went from an institution serving 227 students to a comprehensive community college serving more than 5,800 students. He was a board member of Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Iowa for more than 30-years and remains active in the orgainization. He also set up a scholarship fund at Hawkeye Community College.
At 94, he continues an amazingly active schedule talking to groups and inspiring youth by telling personal stories about being a 15-year old apprentice of Henry Ford including the personal experiences that he had with Henry Ford, Luther Burbank, Harvey Firestone, Harry Ferguson, George Washington Carver, Thomas Edison and later, Lee Iacocca. He nthralls audiences, sepecially the younger members, and receives standing ovations.
