Certified Production & Operations Manager (POM) Practice Exam

Who was the person most responsible for popularizing interchangeable parts in manufacturing?

1. Henry Ford

2. Thomas Edison

3. Eli Whitney

4. Frederick Taylor

The correct answer is: Eli Whitney

Eli Whitney is recognized as the individual who played a pivotal role in popularizing interchangeable parts in manufacturing. His work in the late 18th century, particularly with firearms, demonstrated that using standardized parts that could be easily replaced would significantly increase efficiency in production processes. Before Whitney's innovations, products were often handcrafted, which made repairs and replacements challenging due to lack of uniformity in parts. Whitney’s application of the interchangeable parts concept laid the groundwork for the later advancements seen in mass production, notably embraced by other figures like Henry Ford in the automotive industry. While Ford advanced the production line and further refined manufacturing processes, the foundational idea of interchangeable parts is credited to Whitney and his early contributions during the Industrial Revolution. This principle not only transformed manufacturing but also influenced how factories and industries evolved to maximize efficiency and reduce costs.