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Liberation Technology? The Impact of the Sewing Machine on Women

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  • Philipp Ager
  • Davide M. Coluccia

Abstract

This paper provides novel evidence on how technological change shaped women s labor market participation, fertility, and marriage in 19th-century Massachusetts. We distinguish between the sewing machine s dual role as a manufacturing technology and as a household appliance. Using rich town- and individual-level longitudinal data, we show that this innovation induced divergent responses across the wealth distribution. Women from lower-wealth households increased labor supply, delaying marriage and reducing fertility. In contrast, for wealthier women, the sewing machine functioned as a domestic efficiency tool, enabling earlier family formation and greater civic engagement while reducing market work. Our findings demonstrate how household constraints and social norms mediate the effects of labor-saving technologies, suggesting that technological progress can reinforce inequality by influencing women s economic and social roles.

Suggested Citation

  • Philipp Ager & Davide M. Coluccia, 2026. "Liberation Technology? The Impact of the Sewing Machine on Women," Bristol Economics Discussion Papers 26/831, School of Economics, University of Bristol, UK.
    • Handle: RePEc:bri:uobdis:26/831
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:ces:ceswps:_11729 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Ashesh Rambachan & Jonathan Roth, 2023. "A More Credible Approach to Parallel Trends," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 90(5), pages 2555-2591.
    3. Lukas Althoff & Harriet Brookes Gray & Hugo Reichardt, 2025. "America’s Rise in Human Capital Mobility," Opportunity and Inclusive Growth Institute Working Papers 119, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • N31 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • N61 - Economic History - - Manufacturing and Construction - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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