Which material, introduced in the mid-19th century, enabled the development of standardized components for early modular buildings?
Answer
Cast iron
In the mid-19th century, the manufacturing sector saw the introduction of cast iron as a primary building material. This innovation allowed for the production of repeatable, standardized components in foundries. Because these components could be cast to exact specifications, they provided the predictability needed for assembly and disassembly, serving as an important historical precursor to the panelized and volumetric construction methods used in modern eras.
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