Certified Production & Operations Manager (POM) Practice Exam

In which century did Eli Whitney provide the foundations for interchangeable parts in operations management?

1. Eighteenth century

2. Seventeenth century

3. Nineteenth century

4. Twentieth century

The correct answer is: Nineteenth century

Eli Whitney is recognized for his pioneering work in the manufacturing industry, particularly for introducing the concept of interchangeable parts around the turn of the 19th century. This innovation was crucial in the development of mass production techniques, allowing for components of a product to be made to such precision that they could be swapped with one another without any custom fitting. Whitney's work laid the foundation for modern operations management by emphasizing efficiency, standardization, and systematic production processes, which are essential concepts in this field. His famous example involved the production of muskets for the U.S. government, where he demonstrated that using standardized parts could facilitate faster assembly and repair. This significant advancement occurred during the 1800s, solidifying the correct identification of this development in the 19th century.