There is an interesting book about Henry and the Ford family. I think it was just titled "Ford", but it's been quite a few years since I read it so I am probably wrong on the title. But one thing I remember.
Henry had parts coming from a supplier and he specified the size of the crate they were to be shipped in. Upon arrival at the factory, the crates were opened, the parts removed, and the crates carefully disassembled. The boards the crate was made of were then used as the floorboards in the Model T's. Now that is being frugal!
Mike