Division of Labor

This concept means simple that each worker concentrates on a single small area of production-or a single function. The objective is always increased efficiency through increased production. Early society found that it was more efficient for one person to perform a single function than for each person to try to do everything; thus they had specialists such as blacksmiths, weavers, potters, and candlemakers. Such specialization may be by trade (plumbers, electricians, mechanics or painters) or by operation (carburetor installer on an automobile assembly line).
          The ancient bucket brigade of the fire departments proved that more water got on the fire when the buckets were passed along the line than when each person went from the well to the fire with a bucket. Adam Smith espoused the case for division of labor in his Wealth of Nations in 1776. His experiments showed that production increased in a factory when division of labor was established. Today much routine work has been mechanized, but the principle of division of labor remains important.