There’s much made of the efficient manner in which production is achieved in industry currently. Production methods and industry has changed regularly since the advent of the Industrial Revolution and as far back as when trade began in Mesopotamia. We’ve seen lessons learned, forgotten and then learned and utilised again. So, in this day and age what can we learn from the trade and production of the past? 

• What productivity lessons can be learnt from the past?
• Does anything apply to today’s modern workplace?

Machiavelli

One of the things about trade is that it is often subject to a Machiavellian attitude. The current world climate of a divided East and West – where China produces cheaper goods, all dipped of suspicions about workers rights, intellectual property theft and other issues and the West panders about nodding its head in disdain, yet still with its finger in the pie, is not ideal. As past conflicts have shown us, either you take a country onside and embrace it or don’t trade with it.

The Western world needs to embrace China and set aside all its fears, or do the opposite. Unfortunately the UK, Europe and America cannot compete with China in terms of manpower or production because of  employment laws and wages, driven up through bureaucratic production methods among other things. However, it is through innovation that West offers the answer to its problems.

• Keep innovating and learning from others
• Embrace other cultures and ways of working

It’s the Economy, Dude!

There is a certain fear of risk taking in the Western world at the moment. We live in near stagnant economic times – very similar to the 1940s. One thing we can learn from this similarity is that fear is not an option and risks need to be taken. Look at the period of creativity, change and investment the USA’s risks of the 1950s and 1960s heralded. The huge investments in science, the space race and other spectacular projects saw living expectations rise, medicine improve and an overall rise in wealth, health and life. All done by running a Keynesian deficit.

Private industry doesn’t necessarily do what is right for the long term – however it was with the attitude of exploration and creation for their own sakes that saw the enormous economic growth of the 1960s. This national investment created technologies no private company could create itself. It was the investment in the space race and other government led risky ventures that changed the world.

• Never stand still and stagnate
• Prepare to take risks, but make sure they are calculated

Lessons of the Past

The West needs to learn from this brave, somewhat haphazard attitude and research and invest in new and exciting products on the cusp of capability. Unlike China, Europe and America have the fundamentals for enormous  potential to delve into such audacious projects. This attitude will see creations, inventions, wonderment, which all trickles down to the consumer eventually. This then leads to increased wealth, increased production of consumer technology, an increased circular flow of income and all the benefits that come with this.

• Always push forwards

Golden Years

The sense of wonderment is also encouraged and people have more of a feel good attitude. This fostering of team spirit – just like we saw in the 1960s, is one that will encourage the Western world onwards and back to the fore of innovations, economics and out of a recession.

Such production methods and such spirit takes an audacious attitude , but offers exciting potential. In production methods and in government the West needs to be brave. It is the 1950s and 1960s we should look to for inspiration, these methods of production, the fearless attitude and the public investment in technology that seemed on the edge all created the world we know – with great bravery comes with a great reward.

About the author: Cormac Reynolds currently works for British Antique Replicas who produce a range of reproduction furniture including bookcases, office desks and replica sideboards.

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