Mass Production

The economies of mass production come from several sources. The primary cause is a reduction of nonproductive effort of all types. In mass production, each worker repeats one or a few related tasks that use the same tool to perform identical or near-identical operations on a stream of products. The exact tool and parts are always at hand, having been moved down the assembly line consecutively. The worker spends little or no time retrieving and/or preparing materials and tools, and so the time taken to manufacture a product using mass production is shorter than when using traditional methods.

The probability of human error and variation is also reduced, as tasks are predominantly carried out by machinery. A reduction in labor costs, as well as an increased rate of production, enables a company to produce a larger quantity of one product at a lower cost than using traditional methods.

However, mass production is inflexible because it is difficult to alter a design or production process after a production line is implemented. Also, all products produced on one production line will be identical or very similar, and introducing variety to satisfy individual tastes is not easy.

Mass production was popularized in the 1910s and 1920s by Henry Ford’s Ford Motor Company, which introduced electric motors to the then-well-known technique of chain or sequential production.

While the preceding American system of manufacturing relied on steam power, mass production factories were electrified and used sophisticated machinery. Adoption of these techniques coincided with the birth of the second industrial revolution in the US and its emergence as the dominant industrial superpower in the 20^th century.

Mass production improved productivity, which was a contributing factor to economic growth and the decline in work week hours. It caused the typical work week to decline from 60 hours late in the 19-th century to 50 hours in the early 20^th century and finally to 40 hours in the mid 1930’s.

Overproduction was a result of mass production. It was difficult to meet demand for some products. By the late 1920s most goods were over supplied, which contributed to high unemployment during the Great Depression.

Task 1. Use the words and phrases from the text to complete the sentences below. Make necessary grammatical changes.

1. The company managed to reduce (затраты на оплату труда).

2. The country’s economy is characterized by high (уровень производства).

3. In the 20-th century the USA became the dominant (промышленная сверхдержава).

4. Late in the 19-th century it became possible to cut (рабочее время)

5. (Перепроизводство) was a result of mass production.

6. One of the main tasks of a state is (удовлетворить спрос на) consumer goods.

7. The equipment was extremely (сложный)..

8. My brother works on an (сборочный конвейер)

9. Their relations with partners are (негибкий).

10. This year the company produces a larger quantity of bicycles (с меньшими затратами)

11. It was good to have Robbie (под рукой) in a time like this.

Task 2. Answer the questions.

1. What were positive impacts of mass production?

2. What were its weak points?

3. What technique was developed by Ford Motor Company?

4. What were social impacts of mass production?

5. Why did mass production contribute to high unemployment during the Great Depression?