What method of production became prevalent in the 1920s, significantly influencing industry?

The assembly line became the dominant method of production in the 1920s, dramatically transforming industries and increasing efficiency. This production technique, popularized by figures like Henry Ford in the automotive industry, allowed for the rapid manufacturing of goods by breaking down the production process into smaller, more manageable tasks.

Workers would specialize in specific tasks, which not only minimized the time taken to produce each item but also reduced the skills required for each position. This innovation led to significantly lower costs for manufacturing, making products like automobiles more affordable for the average consumer. The widespread use of the assembly line during this period facilitated mass production, leading to an economic boom and the rise of consumer culture in the United States.

While handcrafting has historical significance, it does not capture the industrial scale and efficiency of the 1920s. Mass customization refers to creating tailored products at scale, which gained traction much later, and automated robotics, while having potential, were not significantly integrated into production until after World War II, making the assembly line the clear and influential method of production for that era.