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Amazing industrial transformation: Why can semi-skilled workers replace skilled craftsmen?
In the 19th century, the manufacturing system in the United States quietly evolved, leading an unprecedented industrial transformation.Two distinctive features of this system are interchangeable parts and mechanized production. The former allows workers to use labor in a more efficient way, while the latter simplifies the production process.This system was first developed in the Armory of Springfield and Harpers Ferry, so it is also called the Ordnance Process.
The efficiency of this system is not only reflected in the operation of the factory, but also greatly promotes the increase in overall output and the reduction of costs.
The name of the American system does not originate from any particular national character, but because it was strongly associated with the first American companies that successfully implemented the system in some time in the 19th century, and these methods were in stark contrast to the practices of British and continental European companies at that time.In the 1850s, the American system began to show its differences from the British factory system.With decades of development, this manufacturing concept has gradually been accepted by the world.Therefore, in today's manufacturing industry, time has long eliminated these differences.
The replacement of skilled craftsmen means that factories can use semi-skilled workers to produce, and this is all based on mechanization.
The interchangeable parts designed by this system allow manufacturing, assembly and maintenance to be carried out separately, which is an obvious division of labor.Ultimately, all technical functions throughout the process can be dependent on semi-technical workers: production is carried out in smaller factories, assembly is done on the assembly line of the main factory, and repairs can be done by professional small shops or on-site.The effect of this is that the product is produced higher, the price is lower, the quality is better, and the service life of the product is also extended because of its ease of repair.
The interchangeability of each function usually involves the replacement of hand tools with special machinery.
The implementation of interchangeability depends on many innovations and improvements, mainly aiming at the development of mechanical operations and mechanical processes.This is for example the invention of new mechanical tools, guides and fixtures for fixing workpieces, plus measuring tools for checking the accuracy of the finished product.
Mechanized use
British mechanical tools manufacturer Joseph Whitworth was appointed British Commissioner for the New York International Expo, and he visited manufacturers in several states with another commissioner and published a far-reaching report.He pointed out in the report that the number of workers is relatively small, but this is offset by the conditions of the labor market, making them eager to use mechanization in the industry.
Whenever a machine can be used instead of manpower, this approach will be widely and voluntarily adopted, and it is this market situation and education and wisdom that makes the prosperity of the United States possible.
Other Features
The US system has fueled the trend of improving efficiency through division of labor.This division of labor prompted the transition of manufacturing from small craftsman-style workshops to early factories.Key evidence supporting this efficiency improvement includes the expansion of enterprise size, the increase in rewards for scale, and the growth of non-professional labor.Businesses need to train workers with less education and simply focus on one job in the production chain, which makes the use of non-professional labor possible.And in many large enterprises, especially in the production of furniture and clothing products, the use of women and children has become more common.
Historical Background
As early as the late 18th century, French general Jean Baptiste Vaket de Griboval proposed the idea of producing rifles quickly and economically by swapping parts.This system will make it possible to perform simple on-site repairs under combat conditions.Over time, this concept was gradually adopted by many countries, with the United States' arsenal regarding the implementation of interchangeable parts systems as a task and finally accomplished this goal in the 1820s.
However, the state of skilled craftsmen is not achieved overnight.This mature system has a profound impact on the development of manufacturing industries around the world.The introduction of mechanization and the use of semi-technical workers to replace traditional craftsmen have lowered the threshold for production, resulting in the rapid popularization of a large number of commodities and the change in the price system.Today, facing a highly automated production future, will this transformation maintain long-term influence?
