Introduction

Abstract

The advent of the assembly line is often credited as one of the most significant developments in the modern world. In 1776, Adam Smith had the foresight to describe the value of adopting the division of labor in his book The Wealth of Nations. Shortly later, in 1797, Eli Whitney showed the importance of using interchangeable parts on a mechanized assembly line to manufacture muskets for the U.S. government. He created standard parts that were used in the assembly process, and that could also be used to replace any damaged part that might be needed subsequently. It wasn’t until the beginning of 1910 when Henry Ford employed assembly lines with conveyor belts to mass-produce the Model T automobile for the Ford Motor Company. With this achievement, Ford essentially paved the way to a whole new era in manufacturing. Today assembly lines are in use globally in all types of industries.