Venetian Arsenal

The Arsenal is often cited as a forerunner of the assembly line and of organized parts storage, because it built ships from standardized components kept in stock until needed. The 1104 founding date is traditional and unproven, but the yard existed by the early 13th century and became a true mass production site after the Arsenale Nuovo was added around 1320. Specialized craftsmen made parts in advance so galleys could be assembled quickly in a crisis; in 1574 workers reportedly built one during a banquet for France's Henry III. Kitting and staged components in modern warehouses apply the same idea.

• KittingAssembling several SKUs into one unit
• Bill of MaterialsBOMList of components that make up a kit
• Conveyor SystemBelts and rollers that move totes and cartons

• First Known Marine Insurance Contract1347 · A Genoese policy insures a ship bound for Majorca
• Zheng He's Treasure Voyages1405–1433 · Seven Ming fleets sail as far as East Africa
• Industrial Revolutionc. 1760–1840 · Machines and factories replace hand production

• Consolato del Mare1494, compiled in the 14th century · Medieval Mediterranean code of maritime law

1. Venetian Arsenal en.wikipedia.org
2. Arsenal britannica.com
3. Arsenale: The Shipyard and Arsenal of Venice worldhistory.org