The Organization of the Boot and Shoe Industry in Massachusetts Before 1875

Abstract

The significance and interest of this investigation, 236. — Scanty supply of materials, and difficulties in their collection, 237. — Stages of the boot and shoe industry outlined and limited, 239. — Illustration and characterization of these stages and their phases: ( a ) Home Stage, 239. — ( b ) Handicraft Stage, Phase 1, ordered or “bespoke” work, 240. — Phase 2, “bespoke” work plus some extra or “sale” work, 242. — ( c ) Domestic Stage, appearance of entrepreneur, 242. — Phase 1, domestic worker makes complete shoe, 245. — Phase 2, specialization in processes and rise of central shop, 248. — Phase 3, inventions to secure standardization and to economize time, 254. — ( d ) Factory Stage, Phase 1, more direct control and supervision with workers in factory, 257. — Phase 2, intensive production with discovery and use of by-products, and with centralization or absorption of allied industries, 261.