Lowell System
A labor and production model employed during the rise of the textile industry
Real World Example
The Lowell system was a labor and production model used in the textile mills of Lowell, Massachusetts, during the early 19th century. It employed young women, known as "Lowell girls," who lived in company-owned boarding houses and worked under strict conditions. This system was important because it represented a shift from home-based production to factory-based production, responding to the demand for faster and more efficient manufacturing. It also laid the groundwork for the industrial workforce and modern labor practices. Today, the Lowell system connects to our lives as it highlights the ongoing issues of labor rights, working conditions, and the need for balance between work and personal life, similar to modern debates about fair wages and work-life balance.
