Labor-saving devices don’t save labor. They increase it.
This statement feels like a paradox. We live in an age of incredible technological advancement. Sophisticated AI and advanced robotics promise a future with less work and more leisure. Yet, many people feel busier than ever before. This contradiction is not new. In fact, thinkers have observed this phenomenon for nearly two centuries. History shows that our most ingenious inventions often create more work, not less.
Examining this trend reveals a fascinating truth about technology and human nature. Instead of reducing our toil, new efficiencies often expand our expectations. As tasks become easier, we simply decide to do more of them. Let’s explore the history of this idea and why it remains incredibly relevant today.
The Questionable Triumph of the Machine
The origins of this paradox trace back to the Industrial Revolution. John Stuart Mill, a renowned English philosopher, was one of the first to question the benefits of mechanization. In his 1848 book, Principles of Political Economy, he made a striking observation. Mill doubted if all the mechanical inventions of his time had truly lightened anyone’s daily work. Source
He argued that technology primarily allowed a larger population to live the same life of drudgery. Meanwhile, manufacturers and the middle class enjoyed greater wealth and comfort. For the average worker, however, the promised age of leisure had not arrived. Mill believed these inventions held the potential to transform human destiny. He just hadn’t seen it happen yet.
Decades later, others echoed his sentiment. In 1869, C. Palfrey noted that the world was busier than ever despite reaching new heights of civilization. He saw that scientific innovations stimulated production instead of saving labor. Workers gained access to more comforts, but not more free time. This pattern continued to gain recognition.
New Century, Same Problem
The 20th century brought even more advanced technology. However, the paradox only deepened. In 1905, an editorial in a Yukon newspaper made a keen observation. It noted that business professionals with typewriters and stenographers were busier than their predecessors. The conclusion was simple. Labor-saving devices don’t save labor; they just enable people to accomplish more work. Easier methods lead to expanded workloads.
This trend appeared across various industries. For instance, the printing industry saw mechanization displace thousands of workers at first. J. E. Jennings wrote in 1900 that this displacement was temporary. The expansion of newspapers and magazines ultimately created a higher demand for machine operators. Consequently, technology both eliminated and created jobs, often leading to a net increase in tasks to be done.
During the 1930s, commentators continued to analyze this effect. Howard Vincent O’Brien argued that machinery doesn’t reduce labor. It merely transfers it. People moved from slowly creating goods by hand to quickly operating and maintaining the machines that made them. The total amount of work did not decrease; it simply changed its form.
From the Office to the Home
The paradox isn’t confined to the workplace. It extends directly into our homes. In the 1980s, feminist writers began examining the impact of domestic appliances. Sue Birchmore, writing in New Scientist, pointed out a startling fact. Western women were spending as much, or even more, time on housework than their grandmothers. Source
Why did this happen? The vacuum cleaner, washing machine, and dishwasher did not create leisure. Instead, they raised society’s standards of cleanliness. People didn’t just wash their clothes; they washed them more frequently. Rugs were not beaten once a season; they were vacuumed weekly or even daily. The work became easier, so people did it more often. The total time spent on domestic chores remained stubbornly high. Source
. More Work for Mother: The Ironies of Household Technology from the Open Hearth to the Microwave
This phenomenon highlights a core principle. Human wants are not static. As technology increases our capacity to produce, society simply multiplies its desires. We create new goods, new services, and new expectations. The work required to meet these new standards expands to fill the time saved by the technology itself.
Lessons for the Age of AI
Today, we stand at another technological crossroads. Artificial intelligence and automation are poised to reshape our world. Once again, we hear promises of a future with less work. History, however, urges caution. The pattern is clear. From the steam engine to the smartphone, technology has consistently increased the pace and scope of human labor.
This isn’t to say that technology is the enemy. On the contrary, it has created immense wealth and opportunities. It has improved our quality of life in countless ways. However, it does not automatically create leisure. The outcome depends on our choices.
Ultimately, the story of labor-saving devices is a story about human ambition. We are creatures who constantly seek to do more, create more, and achieve more. Technology is a powerful tool that amplifies this tendency. As we integrate AI into our lives, we must consciously decide how to use the efficiency it provides. Will we choose to work less, or will we find new ways to work even more? The Effects of Computer Use on Wages, Employment, and the Demand for Tasks – NBER