Handicraft industry and workers, History

Assignment Help:

 Handicraft Industry and Workers

Those who did not work on the land in early modern Europe were mostly involved in manufacturing, which took place primarily in cities and towns. Such work, prior to 1800, was almost all handicraft -- that is to say, the main source of power was the worker's muscle power and the main technology was the worker's skill. Such workers are called artisans, and any tools or machines used by an artisan were less important than muscle and skill.

Artisans worked in small workshops and, for the most part, artisans worked on all aspects of their craft. For example, a shoemaker would assemble the materials and build each shoe that he worked on entirely by himself cut and shape the leather, then attach the wooden sole and metal buckle rather than making only one part of many shoes.

Artisans generally produced goods on a "bespoke" (or what we might think of as special order) basis. So, our shoemaker would make only the number of shoes that were ordered ahead of time by his customers, rather than making many and hoping to sell them later. This was because, in part, artisans had little capital -- other than their tools and their skills. So they could not afford to produce shoes ahead of time and then keep them in stock to sell to customers; they had to wait for someone to order an item before they could acquire the raw materials to produce it. This limited artisans to producing primarily for local demand. This meant producing for those customers who lived nearby, in the same town or village, rather than producing goods that could be shipped elsewhere to be sold. 


Related Discussions:- Handicraft industry and workers

Explain the concept of hierarchy, Explain the concept of hierarchy as it ap...

Explain the concept of hierarchy as it applied to power and leadership in the ancient world. Are there any distinct differences between the operation of this concept as it applies

Show the leadership of the mexican revolutionary party, Why has the post-19...

Why has the post-1940 leadership of the Mexican revolutionary party turned away from the cultural and social programs that were characteristic of the period 1920-1940?

Transition of western society from the middle ages, This module has covered...

This module has covered the transition of Western society from the middle ages to the early modern period, a period of roughly 350 years. At what point during this period would you

Carthaginian general hannibal, During the Second Punic War, the Carthaginia...

During the Second Punic War, the Carthaginian general Hannibal

Communist manifesto, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the "Communist Manif...

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the "Communist Manifesto" imagine a revolution that will transform all of Europe. What do they see as the inevitable causes of this revolution?

Debate during the presidential campaign of 1844, What areas targeted for ex...

What areas targeted for expansion were the subjects of debate during the presidential campaign of 1844?

Briefly summarize the elements of the missouri compromise, Briefly summariz...

Briefly summarize the elements of the Missouri Compromise; then, explain the purpose for the compromise and the political and social results of the compromise. Analyze how this act

Why did white southerners fear the black vote so much, Why was the 15th Ame...

Why was the 15th Amendment necessary and why did white southerners fear the black vote so much? (cite appropriately)

How did geography of these civilizations impact populations, After reviewin...

After reviewing the text and at least one of the linked primary sources, illustrate in your own words the key elements of populations living at the height of Minoan Civilization on

Describe the major legacy of the vietnam war, What would you describe as th...

What would you describe as the major legacy (positive or negative) of the Vietnam War?

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd