József Galamb, born in Makó, was a world-famous automobile engineer. The Ford Model T, the first mass-produced car on an assembly line, is his creation. A preserved example of this model, housed in the József Attila Museum in Makó, is still operational and, as a vintage vehicle, participates in exhibitions under its own power.

The local association of vintage vehicle enthusiasts renovated the building and set up a vintage auto repair workshop inside, along with an exhibition of classic cars and motorcycles, in honor of the city’s distinguished native. A century ago, the brothers of the renowned engineer, who remained in Hungary, operated the country’s first Ford dealership.

József Galamb was born in Makó on February 3, 1881. After his studies, he traveled to Germany and later to the United States, where he entered the automobile industry. He became a close collaborator of Henry Ford and played a decisive role in the design of the Model T starting in 1907. The car, which revolutionized transportation in America, was produced between 1908 and 1927. Galamb was the chief designer of the Model T and its components. Together with his team, he introduced groundbreaking innovations, creating an affordable and easy-to-use car, which became the world’s first mass-market automobile. A key factor in its success was the introduction of the moving assembly line in 1913, which enabled mass production. The first unit was completed on September 24, 1908, and over the next 20 years, 15.5 million units were produced. Today, approximately 100,000 Model T cars still exist worldwide. One of them has been housed in the József Attila Museum in Makó for over 20 years.