Did You Know Henry Ford Helped Invent BBQ Bricks?

When you think of Henry Ford, your mind probably jumps to cars and assembly lines—not summer cookouts. But here’s a fun twist on history: Henry Ford played a key role in the invention of the charcoal briquet, better known today as the BBQ brick.

In the 1920s, Ford was looking for a way to repurpose the wood scraps and sawdust left over from manufacturing Model T automobiles. Always one to hate waste, he wanted to make the most of every part of the process. With a little ingenuity—and some help from his friend Thomas Edison—he came up with a way to compress those scraps into small, uniform blocks using charred wood, starch, and other natural binders.

The result? The modern charcoal briquet. Ford even sold them at his dealerships alongside cars and picnic supplies, encouraging Americans to hit the road and enjoy outdoor cooking. His invention caught on quickly, helping spark a backyard grilling tradition that’s still going strong today.

And here’s a fun fact: the original Ford Charcoal Company was later renamed Kingsford, in honor of Edward G. Kingsford—a relative of Ford who helped secure the land and build the first briquette plant in Michigan. So yes, that familiar blue-and-white bag of Kingsford® charcoal many of us use today traces directly back to Henry Ford’s inventive thinking.

And what better time to share this little slice of history? Tomorrow is the 4th of July, and many of us will be gathering with friends and family to fire up the grill, enjoy some great food, and soak up the sunshine. Whether you’re flipping burgers, roasting veggies, or crafting the perfect s’more, it’s fun to think that a bit of Ford’s legacy might be glowing beneath the grate.

Do you have a favorite BBQ recipe or backyard tradition? I’d love to hear how you celebrate—feel free to share your favorites in the comments!

Wishing you a safe, joyful, and flavor-filled 4th of July—and here’s to the inventions that bring us together over good food, laughter, and sunshine.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Share the Happy 💖