Always Has Been: Chapter 1: Oliver Evans' Automated Flour Mill and the Industrial Displacement of 1796

In 1796, American inventor Oliver Evans introduced an automated flour mill during a period of burgeoning industrial innovation. Evans' mechanized milling process greatly enhanced wheat processing efficiency, marking a pivotal moment in industrial history. However, this advancement led to significant labor displacement as manual milling jobs were lost to automation. The invention sparked debate, highlighting societal tensions between technological progress and the erosion of traditional craftsmanship and labor reliance.