How were mechanical items typically repaired before Whitney's parts standardization system took hold?
Answer
Every piece was custom-fitted by an individual artisan.
Before standardization, manufacturing relied on individual artisans who had to painstakingly file down replacement parts until they fit the exact, unique firearm or clock that needed repair, making the process slow and expensive.

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What did Eli Whitney develop that shaped American industry for centuries to come?How were mechanical items typically repaired before Whitney's parts standardization system took hold?What was the immediate impetus for Whitney developing his system of standardization?In what year did Whitney secure the contract to supply 10,000 muskets using standardization methods?What specialized tooling did Whitney and his team create to ensure component precision for the arms contract?Which US President visited the Whitney Armory in 1802 to observe the emerging system?What significant historical comparison was made regarding the economic viability of Whitney's system versus European efforts?What economic inheritance did the armory system provide for the North, contrasting with the cotton gin's effect?What ancillary item, requiring repeatable and accurate construction, did Whitney also design and patent?What year did Eli Whitney pass away?