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The secret of 19th-century American manufacturing: Why did interchangeable parts change the face of industry?
In the 19th century, the United States was swept by the Industrial Revolution, the most eye-catching of which was the use of interchangeable parts and mechanized production methods. The evolution of this series of manufacturing methods is not only more efficient, but also brings huge changes to the use of labor. It is called the American manufacturing system. This just reflects the sharp contrast with the manufacturing methods in Britain and continental Europe at that time.
"The success of the American manufacturing system is not due to the national characteristics of the United States, but because the American companies that were the first to implement this system have unique manufacturing methods compared with other countries."
The key to the American manufacturing system lies in two main features: the expanded use of interchangeable parts and mechanized production. These improvements make production more efficient than traditional manual methods. Initially, the system was developed primarily at weapons depots such as Springfield, Massachusetts, and Harpers Ferry, Virginia, where in-house contractors supplied weapons to the U.S. Armed Forces.
The core of this production system lies in the extensive application of machinery. Joseph Whitworth, a British machinery manufacturer in the 19th century, mentioned in a report at the New York International Exposition:
"The working class is relatively small in number, but this is offset by their active use of machinery. Whenever they can replace manual labor, they will choose to use machinery."
Another striking feature of this system is the division of labor. By dividing the work into manufacturing, assembly, and repair, these functions can be performed by semi-skilled workers. For example, manufacturing can take place in a small factory, while assembly is done on the production line in the main factory, and repairs can be done in a dedicated shop or on site. In effect, this has resulted in more products being produced at lower cost and higher quality, while also increasing product distribution.
"The use of interchangeable parts made possible the separation of production and assembly, indicating a major change in the division of labor."
Looking back at this historical background, it can be traced back to the end of the 18th century, when French general Jean-Baptiste Vacate de Gribeauval proposed the idea of making guns with interchangeable parts. This idea was later introduced to the United States and gradually implemented from the 16th century to the early 19th century. Interchangeability of parts was finally achieved in the 1820s with the establishment and use of the United States War Department.
While the benefits of this system rapidly expanded across the United States, its impact did not stop there. Over time, the ideas of this system were adopted by manufacturing industries around the world, forming the basis for today's globalized production.
However, behind all this progress is the support of appropriate mechanical tools and innovative technologies, such as the invention of machines such as rotary lathes and milling machines, which are key tools for the production of interchangeable parts.
"I plan to build tools that allow the tool itself to do the work, giving each part just the right proportions."
At the same time, in the manufacturing system of the 19th century, women and children gradually became the main force of the factory labor force, especially in factories that produced furniture and clothing, showing the demand for labor from different groups in the labor market.
By the end of the 19th century, with the implementation of mass production by people like Henry Ford, true interchangeability took on a new dimension on the assembly line, which promoted the popularity of bulk products such as automobiles and made the middle class Families can also afford their own vehicles.
With the advancement of global production methods, today's manufacturing industry cannot be simply compared with the American manufacturing system of the 19th century; interchangeable parts and efficient production processes have become global standards. However, we can’t help but wonder: In the current globalized production environment, how will future manufacturing methods evolve?
