Most people are actually unaware of Ford's "innovations" on pay, or the reasoning behind them, but that does not dilute the profound impact the actions had.
What's learned in the 4th grade curriculum about "$5 a day" is about as accurate as what I learned in 4th grade about "Columbus proved the Earth was round."
EDIT I should explicitly say that I am being sarcastic. Mr Tabarrok is believing what he wants to be true.