Description
Book SynopsisThe industrial revolution, mechanization, water and steam power, computers, and automation have given an enormous boost to manufacturing productivity. Faster, Better, Cheaper in the History of Manufacturing shows how the ability to make products faster, better, and cheaper has evolved from the stone age to modern times. It explains how different developments over time have raised efficiency and allowed the production of more and better products with less effort and materials, and hence faster, better, and cheaper. In addition, it describes the stories of inventors, entrepreneurs, and industrialists and looks at the intersection between technology, society, machines, materials, management, and â most of all â humans.
Faster, Better, Cheaper in the History of Manufacturing follows this development throughout the ages. This book covers not only the technical aspects (mechanization, power sources, new materials, interchangeable parts, electricity, automation), but o
Trade Review
"Brilliant insights regarding concepts of manufacturing systems for both practitioners and academics."
- Dr. Masaru Nakano, Professor at Keio University, former manager of Toyota Central R&D Laboratories, Inc.
"What an incredible abundance of facts and information comprehensively gathered and uniquely assembled. Its thorough production presents the fastest, best and cheapest way to make each reader more knowledgeable."
- Dr. Stefan Bleiweis, Professor of International Management
"This is sure to become a classic in the university curriculum to introduce students to the long history of how people improved society by making things. Roser links the progression of tools and processes from the Stone Age to emerging society to division of labor far earlier than most other scholars. He illustrates the regular progression of technology to improve productivity and closes with the future of work. Thought provoking and a necessary addition to the library of those in industry today."
- Mark Warren, manufacturing engineer and amateur historian
Table of ContentsThe Significance of Manufacturing – The GM-Toyota NUMMI Joint Venture. The Stone Age. The Urban Revolution – The Emergence of Society. Advances During Antiquity. The Middle Ages in Europe. Early Modern Europe. Pioneers of a New Age – The Factory System. Fire is Stronger than Blood and Water – Steam Power. Interchangeable Parts – The American System of Manufacturing. Social Conflict. Technological Advances. Science Meets Shop Floor. The Assembly Line and the Era of the Industrial Empires. Planned Economies – War, Communism, and Other Catastrophes. *Click* Let-Me-Do-This-for-You *Clack* – Computers in Manufacturing. The Toyota Production System and Lean Manufacturing. Where Are We Now?. Things to Come.
