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Liberation Technology? The Impact of the Sewing Machine on Women

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  • Ager, Philipp
  • Coluccia, Davide

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

  • Ager, Philipp & Coluccia, Davide, 2026. "Liberation Technology? The Impact of the Sewing Machine on Women," CEPR Discussion Papers 21496, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:21496
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    File URL: https://cepr.org/publications/DP21496
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    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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