For centuries, to build any device, artisans had to painstakingly cut every screw, bolt, or nut by hand.
But all this changed in the 1790s, when British metalworker Henry Maudslay developed this highly precise lathe.
Suddenly, these previously handmade components could be reproduced mechanically, and at scale.
This may seem like a simple innovation, but it had a profound effect on the world.
The standardization of these parts helped usher in the Industrial Revolution.
From cars to home appliances, the 20th century was defined by mass production and readily available interchangeable parts.
This made repairing items relatively easy.
If your shower head gasket failed or the hose for your washing machine sprang a leak, a hardware store likely carried replacements.
Today, interchangeable parts are as important as ever for mass production.
However, some companies are working hard to prevent consumers from swapping out components on their own.
