A key figure in the early Industrial Revolution of the United States, this individual is associated with the development of a specific manufacturing system. This system involved the centralization of textile production under one roof, a departure from the putting-out system prevalent at the time. An example of this system can be observed in the mills established in Massachusetts, particularly in the town that bears his name.
The significance of this approach lies in its contribution to the transformation of the American economy. It fostered the growth of factory towns, spurred technological innovation in textile machinery, and altered labor patterns, particularly for young women, who formed a significant portion of the workforce. This approach played a crucial role in the shift from an agrarian society to a more industrialized one.
