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Computerized Machine Tools and the Transformation of U.S. Manufacturing

Leah Platt Boustan, Jiwon Choi, David Lawrence Clingingsmith · The Review of Economics and Statistics · 9 Sep 2025

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Abstract

Abstract The diffusion of computerized machine tools in the mid-20th century was a pivotal step in the century-long process of factory automation. We build a novel measure of exposure to computer numerical control (CNC) using initial variation in tool types across industries and differential shifts toward CNC by type. Industries more exposed to CNC from 1970–2007 increased labor productivity and reduced production employment. Workers in more exposed labor markets adjusted by shifting from metal to non-metal manufacturing. Union members were shielded from this job loss, and some workers returned to school to retrain.

About this publication

Leading field journal. A leading journal in economics or a neighbouring field (on the Tinbergen Institute’s A list or near the top of the RePEc ranking), or a top-rated computer-science venue.

Placed by: Tinbergen Institute A list. How sources are ranked.

Published
2025 (14 months ago)
Citations
0 (OpenAlex)

0 citations recorded by OpenAlex — too few 2025 papers in this collection for a fair comparison.

2020202120222023202420252026 published

□ added to this collection in 2026.

author affiliation matches seed institution princeton university — part of why this paper is in the collection.

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