podcastsinenglish Level B.63 The rise of the machine
Feb 23, 2017
Explore the fascinating journey of industrial automation from steam power to modern robots. Discover how inventions like the spinning jenny revolutionized textile production and the impact of electrification on mass manufacturing. Uncover the rise of sewbots that are changing the garment industry and reshoring trends that see jobs returning to automated factories. Delve into the critical balance between lower costs and the risk of job displacement across various sectors, highlighting the ongoing transformation of work in an increasingly automated world.
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Three Waves Of Industrial Automation
- Automation has progressed through multiple industrial revolutions from steam to electricity to electronics and IT.
- Each wave replaced human muscle or repetitive tasks with machinery, changing how goods are produced.
Textile Machines Changed Work
- Richard cites the spinning jenny and flying shuttle as early examples that transformed textile production.
- These inventions replaced manual labor in cloth and cotton mills during the first industrial revolution.
Modern Automation Handles Repetition
- The third industrial revolution used electronics and IT to automate repetitive manufacturing tasks.
- Robots now handle packing, riveting, screwing, and painting in industries like car production.