On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures. by BABBAGE, Charles - 1832

London: Charles Knight, 1832. A turning point in economic writing First edition of Babbage's most successful lifetime publication; "Economy was a turning point in economic writing and firmly established Babbage as a leading authority of the industrial movement" (ODNB).
Prompted by the demands for precision in the construction of his first calculating engine, Babbage had made a conscientious and detailed survey of factories and workshops both in England and Europe. An encyclopaedic record of craft, manufacturing, and industrial processes, as well as an analysis of the domestic organization of factories, the work demonstrates Babbage's remarkable prescience. He proposed many scientific management techniques for the first time, including subdivided work, cost accounting, and merit pay systems. He advocated the decimalization of currency, foresaw the role of tidal power as an energy source, and predicted the exhaustion of coal reserves.
"The book is at once a hymn to the machine, an analysis of the development of machine-based production in the factory, and a discussion of social relations in industry... It was at once translated into French and German, both translations being published in 1833. Throughout the civilized world the book had much effect, becoming the 'locus classicus' of the discussion of machinery and manufacturing" (Hyman, pp. 103 & 122). Octavo (162 x 97 mm). Contemporary tree calf, rebacked, red morocco label, gilt turn-ins, marbled endpapers, speckled edges. Lithographic title, with engraved vignette, diagrams and tables to the text. Bound without terminal advertisement leaf. A little rubbed, some spotting to contents; a very good copy. Einaudi 223; Goldsmiths' 27346; Norman 92; Kress C.3013; Mattioli 158. Anthony Hyman, Charles Babbage, Pioneer of the Computer, 1982.