Fordism is an economic system based on mass assembly-line production, mass consumption, and standardised commodities, pioneered by Henry Ford in the early 20th century. Key features of Fordism include the use of specialised labor performing repetitive tasks on an assembly line, the production of large quantities of uniform products, and the payment of relatively high wages to workers to enable mass consumption of these goods. This system led to significant increases in productivity and made consumer goods more affordable, contributing to the rise of a mass consumer society. However, Fordism has also been criticised for its dehumanizing aspects due to the repetitive nature of the work and its lack of flexibility in responding to changing consumer preferences. The post-Fordist era is characterised by a shift towards more flexible production methods and diversified consumer markets.