Childhood Love for Cars Leads to Groundbreaking Career
Detroit native Emeline King first fell in love with cars during childhood trips with her father, a Ford model specialist, to auto shows and design studios. While most girls played with dolls, Emeline was fascinated by the shapes and forms of vehicles like the 1968 Ford Mustang. She set her sights on becoming a car designer from the young age of 9.
King diligently pursued her dream, studying transportation design at premier institutions in Detroit and later at Art Center College of Design in California. In a male-dominated industry with few female designers, King broke barriers in 1983 when she was hired by Ford as their first African American female transportation designer.
Trailblazing Work on Iconic Ford Vehicles
During her prolific 25-year career at Ford, King made key contributions to the design of several iconic vehicles. Her interior design work on the 1994 Ford Mustang received widespread acclaim for its flowing shapes and female-friendly details.
She also played an integral role in shaping the interiors and components of vehicles like the 1989 Thunderbird, 1990 Ford Probe, and 2000 Thunderbird. Additionally, King secured a patent for the 1989 Thunderbird’s distinct 15-inch wheel covers.
Through her insight as a woman designer, King introduced innovations tailored for female customers regarding aesthetics, ergonomics, and usability. Her diverse portfolio highlights her creative talents as well as resolve to succeed in a white, male-centric profession.
An Inspiring Pioneer and Role Model
King has been widely recognized as an inspiring pioneer in automotive design. She served as a commencement speaker at her alma mater, motivating graduates to relentlessly pursue their dreams. Through public speaking events and a memoir entitled “What Do You Mean A Black Girl Can’t Design Cars?”, she aims to embolden young girls to explore career paths in male-centric STEM fields.
King broke through systemic barriers in the auto industry through raw talent and determination. Her extraordinary journey from childhood enthusiast to design trailblazer sets an empowering precedent – if she can design iconic cars, so can the next generation of young girls with big dreams. King’s successes opened doors for the growing numbers of women shaping the automotive world today.
Emeline King’s indelible mark on some of Ford’s most beloved vehicles will continue inspiring budding designers to bring fresh perspectives into automotive design. She will remain a face of bold change in Detroit’s iconic motor culture.
