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https://online.barrons.com/articles/machines-that-drove-the-industrial-revolution-1421474678

Before the late 18th century, machine parts were made by hand, and no two were alike. For instance, a bolt was manufactured on a treadle-powered lathe by a workman holding a cutting instrument and moving slowly up the bolt as the lathe turned, forming the thread. Nuts were a challenge, for it was very difficult to get the pitch (the angle of the thread) of both nut and bolt to match exactly. Once a nut was produced that would work on a particular bolt, they were carefully paired.

As the steam engine and the factory system...

Before the late 18th century, machine parts were made by hand, and no two were alike.

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