π Introduction to the Putting-Out System
The putting-out system, also known as the cottage industry, was a method of production common in the 17th to 19th centuries. In this system, merchants provided raw materials to individuals or families in their homes, who then processed the materials into finished goods. The merchant would then collect the finished products and sell them.
π Introduction to Factory Production
Factory production is a method of manufacturing that involves the concentration of labor and machinery in a single location. This system gained prominence during the Industrial Revolution, characterized by the use of power-driven machinery and a division of labor to produce goods on a large scale.
π Comparison Table: Putting-Out System vs. Factory Production
| Feature |
Putting-Out System |
Factory Production |
| Location |
Homes or small workshops |
Centralized factories |
| Labor |
Individuals or families |
Large workforce |
| Technology |
Simple tools |
Advanced machinery |
| Scale of Production |
Small-scale |
Large-scale |
| Control |
Merchant has limited control |
Factory owner has significant control |
| Efficiency |
Less efficient |
More efficient |
| Capital Investment |
Low |
High |
key Takeaways
- π The putting-out system relied on decentralized production in homes, while π factory production centralized labor and machinery.
- π§βπ€βπ§ The putting-out system involved individuals or families, whereas factory production employed a large workforce.
- βοΈ Factory production utilized advanced machinery, making it more efficient and leading to larger-scale output compared to the simple tools used in the putting-out system.
- π° Factory production required significant capital investment, contrasting with the low capital needs of the putting-out system.