Ransom E. Olds, the founder of Oldsmobile, is credited with inventing the modern assembly line, where workers would fix specific parts to cars in a stationary line.
Olds' assembly line method was more cost-effective and flexible compared to the previous piecemeal vehicle building technique, enabling mass production of complex machines like cars without the need for skilled craftsmen.
By assigning each worker a simple task, factories could employ cheaper labor, including unskilled workers like farmers or immigrants, leading to lower production costs and more affordable products.
Henry Ford introduced the moving assembly line innovation, utilizing a conveyor belt to move cars through the factory while workers added parts, revolutionizing the manufacturing process.