In the late 1930s and early 1940s, automotive pioneer Henry Ford developed a car prototype with body panels made from agricultural fibers, including hemp. The vehicle was designed to run on hemp-based fuel as well, showcasing what Ford called his 'growth from the soil' vision. The prototype was famously durable—Ford even struck it with an axe to demonstrate its strength, and it bounced back with minimal damage. The project was shelved as World War II shifted industrial priorities and the steel industry rallied against competing materials. Today, the story of Ford's bio-based car serves as a fascinating glimpse of what sustainable transportation might have looked like decades before it became a mainstream conversation.