Question

explain with examples that an average worker in the mid 19th century was not a machine operator but the traditional craftsperson and labourer

Answer 1

Heya dear !

The most dynamic industries in Britain were cotton and metals. But these industries did not displace traditional industries. Even at the end of 19th century only 20% of the total workforce was employed in technologically advanced industries. Ordinary and small innovations were the basis of growth in many non-machanised sectors such as food processing, buildings, pottery, glasswork, tanning etc. Again, technological changes occurred slowly. New machines were expensive and broke down often. Repair was costly. Take the case of steam engine. James Watt improved the steam engine produced by new comer in 1781. But for years there were no buyers. There were only 321 steam engines in England at the beginning of the 19th century. Of these 50 were in cotton industry, nine in wool and rest in mining. Steam engines were used much later so a typical worker in the mid-19th century was not a machine operator but a traditional craftsperson.

Answer 2

Following are the examples to explain that an ordinary worker in the mid 19th century was not a device supervisor but the common craftsperson and worker:

1. The slow speed of new machines: Though technological machines were taking place, the speed was very slow.  

2. The machines were costly: the cost of the newly introduced machines was so high that the industrial-ists and producers were careful of using machines. The repairing of the machines was costly. Therefore the industrialists preferred the old craftsperson and worker

3. Limited use of machines: though many inventors produced many machines but they could not get sufficient buyers. The newly introduced machines founded in very few industries.