Business & brands / Politics / Auto industry
Robert McNamara
1916–2009 · Ford Motor Company president, U.S. Secretary of Defense
One of Ford's postwar 'Whiz Kids', he rose to president of Ford in 1960 before leaving for Washington as Secretary of Defense.
- Born
San Francisco, California- Died
Washington, D.C.
aged 93- Birth name
- Robert Strange McNamara
- Also known as
- Robert S. McNamara
- Detroit years
- 1946–1961
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
After serving in the Army Air Forces' statistical control office in World War II, McNamara joined Ford in 1946 as one of ten former officers hired together by Henry Ford II to modernize a disorganized company. Ford employees mocked them as the 'Quiz Kids' for their constant questions; they rebranded themselves the 'Whiz Kids'. McNamara introduced data-driven planning and financial controls, pushed the 1956 'Lifeguard' safety package with seat belts and padded dashboards, and championed the compact Ford Falcon of 1959. Unlike most auto executives he lived in Ann Arbor rather than Grosse Pointe or Bloomfield Hills. On November 9, 1960, he became the first president of Ford from outside the Ford family in decades, but within weeks President-elect Kennedy chose him as Secretary of Defense, where he led the Pentagon through the Vietnam War. He later headed the World Bank.
Highlights
- Joined Ford in 1946 as one of the 'Whiz Kids'
- Backed the 1956 Lifeguard safety package and the 1959 Ford Falcon
- President of Ford Motor Company from November 9, 1960
- U.S. Secretary of Defense, 1961–1968
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Worked here · 1956–1961
Ford World Headquarters (Glass House)
Closed · 1956–2025
Ford's headquarters during his last years at the company; vacated in 2025 and slated for demolition.