Who Invented the Assembly Line?

An assembly line refers to a special and efficient manufacturing process that was invented to promote the addition of parts of a certain product in a sequential and organized manner. Most capitalists and financiers use this process because it is faster and more effective than the typical handcrafting-type methods. However, sociologists oppose the implementation of this process in factories because it promotes boredom and social alienation. Before assessing the effects of this manufacturing process, it is best to look at the history behind the invention of the assembly line.

Historical Background
Who invented the assembly line? The manufacturing process was invented by Ransom E. Olds in 1901. He invented the process as a response to the improving demands for horseless carriages at this time. When he implemented the process in his factory, he was able to enhance the production of the factory to 425 cars in 1901 and 2,500 the following year.

The process was popularized by Ford Motor Company in 1908. The company implemented the technique for the production of Ford Model T. The firm found the process more cost efficient since it uses machines to help in the production of the automobile. In addition to this, the company also found that the occurrence of industrial accidents were lessened since it implemented the process because workers specialized in a particular task.

Additional Information and Other Important Details
The main purpose for implementing the assembly line is to make the production of a particular product faster. In the case of Ford Motor Company, it can produced three to five automobiles in an hour with the use of this concept. In order to understand the benefits from the process, let us compare the production rate of an automobile company that does not use the technique and another firm that uses the process.

For a company that does not implement the assembly line, there will only be one station for engine installation, hood installation and wheels installation. If three cars will be produced without the use of the technique, the production rate will be less. If the installation of the engine takes 15 minutes while the installation of wheels and hood are 10 minutes each, then the production time for the three cars will be 105 minutes.

However, for a firm that implements the assembly line, the production of all the three cars is less. This is because there will be one station for hood installation, a separate station for wheels installation and another station for engine installation.