Its an intriguing question, isnt it? Ive been unable to find a reference. At the time of publication, however Ford was involved in a long running battle to keep the unions out of his plants, so may have been a bit busy. He was also not a noted reader, of "literature" books anyway....maybe he never read it. Would love to see different though. Anyone else out there with more info?
Is your question in reference to the meaningless of progress in the novel? If so you could ask the question about a number of scientists and innovators after this period. In a work of literature people take the ideas that make sense to them and leave the rest.