Figure 1: Vehicle assembly plant (Source: Library of Congress, 1923)
Identification of the photograph
The photo selected shows a vehicle assembly plant. It is a digital image retrieved from the Library of Congress image gallery created on May 7, 1923. The photograph acts as a good representation of the impact of the industrial revolution to the Americans. The selection of the photo was based on its importance in revealing the readiness of the American people to practice innovations and promote growth in the process of industrialization. The United States ranks the top position regarding industrialization because of the ability of the country to adopt new techniques and processes long before other countries realized the importance of industrialization. The motor vehicle assembly plant acts like the oldest revelation of industrialization in America; hence, the need to select the image. Second, the image represents industrialization in America by demonstrating how vehicle manufacturing changed over time to meet growing demands and adopt new technologies.
Inference regarding the photograph
The photograph concludes that Americans a strong dedication to improving grow regarding industrial development, transport, and innovations. The born of the automobile industry characterizes the twentieth century's industrial revolution. The United States became the first country to produce automobiles in the late nineteenth century. Manual motor vehicle assembly took place as shown in the image. The technician is seen fitting a drum to the vehicle while the other installs the steering wheel. Additionally, the true dedication of Americans to design and manufacture a motor vehicle can be revealed by the presence of a large assembly plant with vehicles lining up to undergo assembly. On the other hand, the photo shows high levels of innovation as revealed by the presence of a rail track where technicians work on the vehicle parts with a lot of ease. The platform makes it easier to undertake the assembly work since it consists of raised areas. The image demonstrates a continuous-flow production process as vehicles appear in line as employees work towards fixing different parts during the assembly. According to Mokyr (1998), the Ford automobile industry, which is the oldest in America, combined the continuous flow process with the presence of interchangeable parts that made it possible for the industry to have a mass production of vehicles. The photograph shows the similar continuous flow of production.
Resource that answers any question regarding the photograph
The article by Thomas J. Sugrue from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History acts as the best resource to explain the selected photograph. Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History plays a significant role in explaining about the photograph because the institution has numerous resources that describe historical happenings in America by era. It contains information about American history from 1620 to the current with each resource providing a thorough analysis of events and phenomenon that took place and their relationship to the modern America.
Sugrue narrated the story of Detroit, who happens to be the publisher of the photo. The resource helps the reader understand the entire structure of the American industrial society regarding motor vehicle assembly. Detroit represents the historical symbol of modernity and shows the power of American capitalism and labor markets in creating both employment opportunities and promoting the growth of the automobile industry. Sugrue (2016) assists in the understanding of the photograph by explaining how Detroit selected Ford automobile out of the 125 auto companies because of its ability to rise to the top within few years of manufacturing.
On the other hand, the article describes Americans' dedication towards improving the auto industry by constructing different vehicle assembly plants at different states and towns. According to Sugrue (2016), many automobile assemblies’ points extended to Detroit's suburbs and in smaller towns where manufacturers could access raw materials for making motor vehicle parts. Detroit acted as the main source of information about any motor vehicle assembly process happening in America during the mid-nineteenth century. The automobile industry was the main source of employment for many Americans. Using Sugrue's article, the reader understands the vehicle assembly process occurred in a continuous flow and the reason for having more than one technician to work on a single vehicle.
Relevance of the photograph to the account of American industrialization
The photograph has a lot of significance in explaining American industrialization by providing a clear picture of efforts made by ancient people. The manufacturing industry acts as one of the key drivers to the industrial revolution after the Civil War. Before the introduction of the motor vehicle assembly plant by Henry Ford, craftsmen used to produce cars used by people for transportation during that era. A group of craftsmen produced a single care, and they were highly skilled and had adequate knowledge about various car mechanisms. The advancement of industrialization led to the development of a car assembly line process like the one shown in the photograph. Therefore; the image acts as a good representation of how Americans changed from using cars produced by craftsmen to cars assembled in a vehicle manufacturing plant. On the other hand, industrialization led to the division of labor. The photograph shows people working on different parts of the car an indication that the assembly place employs people with different skills and expertise. According to Price (2004), a division of labor, economies of scales, and specialization leads to increased efficiency.
References
Library of Congress. (1923, May 7). Assembly. Washington, D.C.: Detriot Publishing Co.
Mokyr, J. (1998, August). The second industrial revolution, 1870-1914. Retrieved from
http://faculty.wcas.northwestern.edu/~jmokyr/castronovo.pdf
Price, R. G. (2004, January 09). Division of labor, assembly line thought-the paradox of
democratic capital. Rationalrevolution. Retrieved April 02, 2015 from http://www.rationalrevolution.net/articles/division_of_labor.htm
Sugrue, T. J. (2016). Motor City: The story of Detroit. Gilder Lehrman Institute of American
History. Retrieved April 02, 2016 from https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-by-era/politics-reform/essays/motor-city-story-detroit
