[PEN-L:2433] Re: Economies of scale: two questions

[rjp6@xxxxxxxxxxx (Rich Parkin)]

>1. When was the term "economies of scale" first used and by whom?
>
>2. Who was the first to exploit economies of scale in manufacturing a
>complex object (as opposed to processing steel, oil or tobacco)?
>-----------------------------------------------------------------
>Carl H.A. Dassbach                             E-mail:   DASSBACH@xxxxxxx
>Dept. of Social Sciences                      Phone:   (906)487-2115
>Michigan Technological University         Fax:       (906)487-2468
>Houghton,  MI   49931    USA
>

On (2), you could try checking out the Springfield (MA) Armory - according
to Mike Best's _The New Competition_ it was the first to manufacture
interchangeable parts.  Bruce Tull at UMASS is doing his dissertation on the
Armory, and may chime in if he's a PEN-L lurker.

Hope this helps.

        Best,

        Rich Parkin


Rich Parkin,
Economics Dept.,
400 Wickenden Building,
10,900 Euclid Ave.,
Case Western Reserve University,
Cleveland, OH 44106-7206
(216) 368-4294 (w)