On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures

Focusing on labor economics, this treatise explores the division of tasks according to skill level to enhance worker efficiency and reduce costs. Babbage's insights stemmed from his firsthand observations of workshops while supervising the Calculating-Engine's creation. He introduced the Babbage Principle, advocating for task assignments that align with workers' skill sets and pay grades. Despite facing criticism from theorists like Karl Marx, his ideas continue to influence modern management practices and workplace efficiency.