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The inspiration for the assembly line was a slaughter house
The development of the assembly line was inspired by the disassembly line used in slaughterhouses, where workers removed parts from animal carcasses in a systematic manner. This concept was adapted by Ford to create a more efficient car manufacturing process. By employing a conveyor belt that moved the car carcass along, workers could remain stationary and focus on adding specific components, drastically increasing productivity. The original mechanism driving this conveyor belt was a rope operated by a person, illustrating the simplicity of the early assembly line model. Ford's innovative approach, influenced by practices observed in a slaughterhouse, laid the foundation for mass production and contributed significantly to the company's success.