Impact on Society
This picture shows a worker working on Henry Ford's Model T, the first automobile to be made on the assembly line.
"In response to growing demand, Ford built a new factory using standardized interchangeable parts and a conveyor-belt based assembly line. The factory was able to build a car in just 93 minutes, producing around 1 million vehicles a year (one every 24 seconds). With this advancement in production, Ford was able to market to the general public. The factory had everything it needed to construct the vehicles including a steel mill, glass factory, and the first automobile assembly line." - Scott Allen
Division of labor is a symbol of capitalism, and the assembly line lead to an expansion of economic efficiency. Society became more successful with the innovation of assembly line. People were able to purchase manufactures like automobiles at a faster rate and also at a lower cost. This has lead to a growth in prosperity for American society. The innovation also lead to the creation of a number of new concepts like the national highway system. Since more people were able to afford cars at a cheaper price, urbanization patterns changed.
