The first example of mass production in human history was likely brickmaking under Augustus in Rome. But it wasn’t until 18th century Britain and the Industrial Revolution that it arrived upon the scene for good. Indeed, not until the 20th century was the term “mass production” widely used.
Since then, much has been written about it ― favorable and unfavorable ― such as: how it lowers costs, standardizes processes, routinizes work, replaces craftsmen, lowers quality, pollutes, and so on.
Yet the simplest perspective on the fundamental value of mass production, from which everything about it can be viewed, is that it enables mass consumption ― mass consumption being the widespread ownership, use, and enjoyment of any product.
For example, of the world’s 7.6 billion people, more than one billion own automobiles. To supply that level of ownership, manufacturers produce nearly 100 million cars a year. Without that much production, such consumption would be impossible, and cars would be a luxury, available only to a wealthy few. We could call this feat miraculous were it not manmade.
So mass production and mass consumption really go together. They are two sides of the same coin and cannot exist apart. Whatever the specific costs or benefits of mass production, then, without it, on the whole, the world would be much poorer.
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