Sorensen, Charles

Sorensen, Charles

(1881–1968) engineer, automobile executive; born in Copenhagen, Denmark. Brought to the U.S.A. as a child, he began working in Henry Ford's pattern department (1904), rising to become plant superintendent (1925) and vice-president (1941). He helped develop the assembly line (1909–13), the Model T and Model A, and the Ford V-8 engine. During World War I he was involved in airplane production; during World War II, he was blamed for production problems with planes so he resigned (1944) and went to work for Willys-Overland. He had a reputation as a harsh, even ruthless administrator.