Fascinating. I would have thought the manufacture of sewing machines and/or bicycles would have been more inspiration to Henry Ford than watches, as both had interchangeable parts, and i'm pretty sure were manufactured on assembly lines. Sewing machines preceded bicycles, and bicycles preceded cars. But I wrote about interchangeable parts and assembly lines so long ago--40 years ago or so, that I've forgotten the details.
Muskets before watches: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interchangeable_parts
Fascinating. I would have thought the manufacture of sewing machines and/or bicycles would have been more inspiration to Henry Ford than watches, as both had interchangeable parts, and i'm pretty sure were manufactured on assembly lines. Sewing machines preceded bicycles, and bicycles preceded cars. But I wrote about interchangeable parts and assembly lines so long ago--40 years ago or so, that I've forgotten the details.
It all started with Dennison. Well, post-cotton gin Eli Whitney. But still...
I might try to dig up my 40 year old piece on interchangeable parts, and if I do I'll send you a copy.
Much obliged! robertfarago1@gmail.com