Huge developments in technology and an ever-growing world population mean that mass production is nowadays a real necessity. But just what are the items that we demand more than any others?
Living in a Material World
It may be hard to believe, but there was a time when the now omnipresent plastic was something of an oddity in the home. The earliest forms of plastic materialised in late 19th century America, but it wasn’t until years later that both supply and demand allowed for plastic products to really begin dominating the home. Now as common as naturally occurring materials such as leather, metal and wood, plastic has one big plus-point: it will not run out, making it ideal for our fast-moving world.
The War on Terror
Although it is a far cry from the plastic cups, packaging and products that dominate the home, it is a fact of the modern world that the weapons manufacturing industry continues to grow. Designed by Russian inventor Mikhail Kalashnikov, the eponymous gun was first imagined as World War II drew to a close and is now the most produced weapon worldwide.
The weapon itself is somewhat evocative, not just because of its natural association with war. Some see it as a cold war weapon designed exclusively to damage the USA, whilst others automatically link the rifle to underworld tactics as opposed to organised defence.
The Real Thing?
There really is no escaping it. And with profits on the rise, the drink continues to be one of the most recognisable brands ever developed. Little surprise then that Coca-Cola is the most produced and most drunk beverage across the world.
Armed with technology such as that available at packaging-machines.co.uk, the company is able to produce, pack and deliver enough Coca-Cola to satisfy the world’s need: that’s nearly 2 billion cans each and every day!
Play it Cool
A relatively recent addition to the home, the fridge is now ubiquitous in kitchens the world over. It is something taken for granted nowadays, but the widespread introduction of the fridge in the 1950s and 60s really did revolutionise not only how we cooked but how we lived too.
Having become an established part of life at home, manufacturers were soon expanding the capability of the fridge’s technology. Freezer compartments were introduced in the 60s and 70s giving owners ever more flexibility when it came to food preparation. Developed by scientists, manufactured in bulk and packed securely with strapping machines before they are delivered, fridges are now available in a wider range than ever.
Our Daily Bread
A huge part of cultural life across the world, bread remains the most mass produced food item globally. As simple a recipe as it ever has been, it is a staple food for rich and poor countries alike. However it is another industry where technology has played a part, not just in the logistical development of manufacture and delivery, but in the increased longevity of the product too. As a result, it seems bread will remain the most made and eaten food item for some time to come.