The Knudsen Institute is named after an important – but forgotten – figure from our nation’s history. William (Bill) S. Knudsen is the grandfather of the modern defense industrial base. The only civilian to be appointed a 3-star general in the U.S. military, his understanding of mass production and ability to influence industry and the government insured the United States had the necessary manufacturing capacity to win World War II. We seek to codify his vision and spirit in everything we do.

Born in Denmark, Knudsen was a prominent industrialist. Bill had gained immense experience and success in the automobile industry, holding high-ranking positions at Ford Motor Company and General Motors. In fact, some would contend that it was Knudsen, and not Henry Ford, that understood mass production and how to implement it. With him, Ford’s ‘horseless carriage’ might have never been more than a novel competitor in the early days of the automobile industry.

As the clouds of World War II gathered, President Franklin D. Roosevelt recognized the need to mobilize American industry for the war effort. In 1940, he appointed Knudsen as the Director of the Office of Production Management (OPM), a civilian agency tasked with overseeing the nation’s industrial production. Later, Knudsen received a commission as a Lieutenant General in the U.S. Army, leading the newly created Air Technical Service Command.

Knudsen applied his exceptional organizational and managerial skills to rapidly transform our industrial capabilities. Known for his famous slogan, “We are going to outproduce them,” Knudsen was instrumental in ramping up the production of war materials, including tanks, planes, and ammunition. Under his leadership, American factories were retooled to shift from producing consumer goods to manufacturing essential war supplies. His contribution to the war was a decisive factor in victory. By streamlining production and leveraging America’s industrial might, he enabled the U.S. to outproduce the Axis powers and equip the armed forces with the weapons and machinery needed to fight and win the war.

Despite his achievements, he remained a humble man, always emphasizing the collective efforts of the American people in the success of the war production. William S. Knudsen’s legacy is a testament to the importance of industry and leadership during times of global conflict.