SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE

Efficient production methods are now taken for granted, but it was not always so, says this study.

The processes by which the United States became an economic superpower are still being unraveled, but University of Wisconsin historian Dunlavy provides another piece of the puzzle with this short, pithy book. At first glance, the subject of manufacturing standardization might not seem an interesting one, yet this book turns out to be a fascinating read. Dunlavy looks back to the early years of the 20th century, when manufacturing was largely based on the production of goods—everything from beds to bricks—in a bewildering array of sizes and types. Henry Ford’s methods had shown the value of mass production, but the idea had not yet spread throughout the economy. The dominant business thinking was that consumers preferred wide variety over low prices. This changed with World War I, when the government encouraged manufacturers of war-related material to adopt mass-production techniques for greater efficiency and less waste. It worked, but many companies returned to their old ways after the end of the war. Enter Herbert Hoover, who became secretary of commerce in 1921 (and later president). He created the Division of Simplified Practice, which pumped out reams of data to show the benefits. The methods spread, and by World War II the economy turned into a mass-production powerhouse. Standardization would also show the value of cooperation between government, businesses, and industry associations. Dunlavy recounts the story with an efficiency that matches her subject, making her book relevant for anyone interested in the history of business.

An engaging look at a cornerstone of economic growth.