Final answer:
Tatum's notion of the conveyor belt refers to the assembly line system where different components of a product are added as it moves along the belt, a method vital to the efficiency of factories during the Industrial Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Tatum's notion of the conveyor belt refers to a system used in factories, where a product being manufactured, such as a car, moves along a conveyor belt, with different parts being added at various stations. This method of production became a cornerstone of Britain's Industrial Revolution and was later refined by American automobile producers to increase efficiency. The conveyor belt itself was an evolution of the chain-pump, originating from Han invention, and evolved in Song times into a power-transmitting chain drive.
Impact on Industrial Production
The introduction of the conveyor belt to the assembly process revolutionized industrial production by allowing for specialization of labor and more efficient assembly of goods. Products, as they moved along the conveyor belt, would be assembled piece by piece until completion. This is much like the digestive system, which disassembles food as it moves through the body, much like a conveyor belt system disassembles or assembles products.
Historical Significance
The invention and use of the conveyor belt system had significant historical implications, aiding in the mass production of goods, like cars and household items, during the Industrial Revolution and beyond. Labor division and specialization at each stage of production became more common due to the efficiency of the conveyor belt system.