Computers, automobiles, and electricity. All examples of modern technology we experience and interact with every day. However, modern technology is more often than not associated with individual objects rather than the systems they are a part of. This is due to the fact that they are physical and mechanical, easily read and comprehended (Hughes 184). On the contrary, these devices are simply an ingredient of the highly complex technological systems they are a part of. The increased use of organized labor and mechanization in the first factory mills in the late 17th century sparked industrialization in the first American factories. These early American factories were powered by forces both tangible and intangible; each individual laborer was
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With the opening of the Erie canal an ever increasing amount of young males were leaving to the west, leaving their families and especially women to fend for themselves (Hindle 194). The Lowell mills rectified this problem by promoting a new industrial workforce. Young women were the primary labor force for the mills, vast amounts of boarding houses housed the women to help ensure the morality in the factory (Hindle 199). Lowell insured the boarding houses were inviting and comfortable so that laborers would willingly participate in this immensely tiresome system. This intangible form of labor organization ensured that the factory system was as streamlined as possible. Boarding houses served the laborious job of housing employees and promoted efficiency by ensuring the employees were never too far from work (Hindle 199). Strict moral rules were also placed to keep the system organized; women were blacklisted for offenses ranging from hysteria to insubordination (Hindle 200). Lack of employment and a drive to better their families drove these women to the hectic factories and their respective boarding houses (Hindle 199). With a primary focus on productivity, Lowell’s system was the first that streamlined textile manufacturing. Rather than having various locations around the country fulfilling different aspects of the job, everything was done under one …show more content…
Workers would feed slivers of fibers into a speeder where it would be ready to be spun. This would take place on the second floor where workers used spinning wheels to wrap the fiber around a beam that would be placed on a power loom (Hindle 196). Finally, the third floor was occupied by laborers who used the power loom to unwind the beams and wind cloth (Hindle 198). The key to Lowell’s success was making sure that every piece of technology was simple to use even for an untrained individual. Lowell’s system was so incredibly efficient that if worked properly all the spinners, weavers, and carders worked and stopped in conjunction with the shaft and belts from the basement (Hindle 199). This manufacturing process was so methodical and systematic that it was adopted by various industries decades
With the opening of the Erie canal an ever increasing amount of young males were leaving to the west, leaving their families and especially women to fend for themselves (Hindle 194). The Lowell mills rectified this problem by promoting a new industrial workforce. Young women were the primary labor force for the mills, vast amounts of boarding houses housed the women to help ensure the morality in the factory (Hindle 199). Lowell insured the boarding houses were inviting and comfortable so that laborers would willingly participate in this immensely tiresome system. This intangible form of labor organization ensured that the factory system was as streamlined as possible. Boarding houses served the laborious job of housing employees and promoted efficiency by ensuring the employees were never too far from work (Hindle 199). Strict moral rules were also placed to keep the system organized; women were blacklisted for offenses ranging from hysteria to insubordination (Hindle 200). Lack of employment and a drive to better their families drove these women to the hectic factories and their respective boarding houses (Hindle 199). With a primary focus on productivity, Lowell’s system was the first that streamlined textile manufacturing. Rather than having various locations around the country fulfilling different aspects of the job, everything was done under one …show more content…
Workers would feed slivers of fibers into a speeder where it would be ready to be spun. This would take place on the second floor where workers used spinning wheels to wrap the fiber around a beam that would be placed on a power loom (Hindle 196). Finally, the third floor was occupied by laborers who used the power loom to unwind the beams and wind cloth (Hindle 198). The key to Lowell’s success was making sure that every piece of technology was simple to use even for an untrained individual. Lowell’s system was so incredibly efficient that if worked properly all the spinners, weavers, and carders worked and stopped in conjunction with the shaft and belts from the basement (Hindle 199). This manufacturing process was so methodical and systematic that it was adopted by various industries decades