Edsel is a No-Go: Ford’s $400 Million Faceplant

In this episode of History Ignited, we take a look at one of the most famous marketing blunders in automotive history: the Ford Edsel.

Named after Henry Ford’s son, the Edsel was supposed to be the "car of the future." Instead, it became a cautionary tale of mismatched expectations, questionable design, and bad timing. We’ll explore:

• The hype and secrecy surrounding "E-Day."
• Why the public turned its back on the car Ford spent $400 million to develop.
• The legacy of the Edsel and how it became synonymous with commercial failure.

Join us as we shift into gear to uncover how a top-tier automotive giant missed the mark so spectacularly.

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About History Ignited:
History Ignited is the award-winning kids and family history podcast inspired by Billy Joel’s We Didn’t Start the Fire. Each short episode explores the real stories behind the people, events, inventions, and cultural moments that shaped the world from the 1950s through the 1980s. Winner of the 2025 Webby People’s Voice Award for Best Kids & Family Podcast.