In nineteenth-century Europe, particularly in Britain, many industrialists preferred hand labour over machines for several important reasons.

Firstly, there was no shortage of human labour in Victorian Britain. Poor peasants and vagrants moved to cities in large numbers in search of jobs. When there is plenty of labour, wages are low. Thus, industrialists faced no problem of labour shortage or high wage costs. They did not want to introduce machines that required large capital investment.

Secondly, in many industries, the demand for labour was seasonal. Gas works and breweries were busy during cold months, book-binders and printers needed extra hands before Christmas, and ships were repaired in winter. In such industries where production fluctuated with seasons, industrialists usually preferred hand labour, employing workers only for the season.

Thirdly, machines were oriented to producing uniform, standardised goods for a mass market. However, the market demand was often for goods with intricate designs and specific shapes. For instance, 500 varieties of hammers and 45 kinds of axes were produced, which required human skill, not mechanical technology.

Finally, the upper classes – the aristocrats and the bourgeoisie – preferred things produced by hand. Handmade products symbolised refinement and class as they were better finished, individually produced, and carefully designed. Machine-made goods were generally for export to the colonies.