Explain the main features of ‘assembly line method of mass production’. What problem was faced by Ford ? How did he overcome it ?
(a) Main features of assembly line method were as mentioned below : It would allow a faster and cheaper way of producing vehicles. This method forced workers to repeat a single task mechanically and continuously at a pace dictated by the conveyor belt. Standing in front of the conveyer belt no worker could afford to delay the motions, take a break or even have a friendly word with a workmate. This method increased the output per worker and cars came off the assembly line at three minutes intervals. The workers, however, were not able to work speedily. So they quit in large numbers. To overcome this problem, Henry Ford doubled the daily wages in January 1914. At the same time he banned trade unions from operating in his plants. (b) Henry Ford recovered the high wage by repeatedly speeding up the production line and forcing workers to work even harder. So much so, he would soon describe his decisions to double the daily wage as the ‘best cost-cutting decision’ he had ever made.
