More than a century has passed since the introduction of assembly line in Detroit. Henry Ford figured out how to drastically increase the efficiency of the production process, which led to huge changes, not only in economic production but also in social relations and the social status of workers.

Exactly 107 years ago, the American entrepreneur and industrialist Henry Ford began a radical transformation of production with the introduction of assembly line. He had no idea how much impact it would have not only on efficiency but also on people's lives and the social structure of society.

By drastically reducing production costs through the use of standardized parts and precise division of labor, Ford's factories have succeeded in enabling the common man to have luxury, freedom and all that the car has to offer.

Other branches of industry soon embraced innovation, and today all factories, whether they produce oatmeal, furniture, or airplanes, apply the same assembly line principle as enthroned by Henry Ford.

Before he designed the assembly line, the great American industrialist looked to simplify the production process in all possible ways.

"If I could save each of my workers 50 steps a day, I could save miles until the end of the year," Ford said on one occasion.

Ford has standardized the vehicles and parts needed to assemble them to such an extent that it has come up with the famous motto: "The 'Model T' is available in all the colors that customers want as long as it's black."

However, despite all the measures, Ford was not satisfied, the costs were still too high, and the amount was too small for the "huge numbers" that the American industrialist wanted. Everything changed on October 7, 1913, when Ford opened the first assembly line in its factory, called the "Crystal Palace", in Detroit.

Truth be told, it was not the assembly line as we know it today, but they tied a rope to each car that was assembled and pulled it in the middle of the factory, while the side workers added parts. Later, rails passed through the middle of the factory hall, along which unfolded cars were pushed.

Crowded trains brought parts that were unloaded by cranes, and conveyor belts brought them to the workers.

"It was a real hive. When he first opened the factory, about 100 vehicles were assembled a day, and with the introduction of the new system, the number rose to a thousand, which is almost equal to the productivity of today's factories, "explains historian Bob Kripke.

Ford's 13,000 workers produced about 300,000 cars in 1914 - more than all of its 300 competitors managed to produce with 66,350 workers.

Productivity and wages go hand in hand

The specialization and simplification of work on the assembly line also meant that Ford no longer had to use craftsmen, but could employ less educated workers who would have had enough to learn just a few simple steps.

Monotonous work also has its drawbacks, and Ford, unlike many capitalists of the time, believed that workers should be better paid, so in line with the increase in profits, he also raised workers' salaries.

Although he believed that workers' rights should be improved, Ford did not have much confidence in labor unions, believing that their actions were influenced by politically motivated leaders.

Despite the more expensive workforce, efficiency has allowed Ford to reduce the price of the "Model T" from $ 850, when it was introduced, to a staggering $ 260.

Northwestern University professor Stefan Barnett points out that standardization and the introduction of mounting tape have had a huge impact on all aspects of life.

Most importantly, this has led to lower production costs, higher quality and more reliable products. The assembly line reduced the time required to assemble the 'Model T' from 12.5 hours to just 93 minutes, ”explains Barnet.

Higher productivity meant higher profits, part of which was returned to workers through higher wages. The workers therefore had more money to buy, creating a favorable cycle of economic growth.

The assembly line has also changed the way people have lived and worked, accelerating the transition of people from rural to urban areas.