2. The Venetian Arsenal As in the Arsenal of the Venetians Boils in winter the tenacious pitch To smear their unsound vessels over again For sail they cannot; and instead thereof One makes his vessel new, and one recaulks The ribs of that which many a voyage has made One hammers at the prow, one at the stern This one makes oars and that one cordage twists Another mends the mainsail and the mizzen… Dante, The Divine Comedy
3. Table of Contents History of the Venetian Arsenal Pre-Industrial Conditions Arsenale ArsenaleNuovo Management Early Management Management Transitions Management Structure
4. Table of Contents Functional Areas Worker Structure Shipbuilding Capabilities Arsenale Capabilities Comparison to Other Nations Side Benefits Shipbuilding Improvements Innovation Conclusion
5. Introduction The Venetian Arsenal was a precursor to the Industrial Age factory. Tiered management organization allowed different trades to work together on projects, and this allowed the creation of interchangeable and standardized components and ensured Venice’s dominance of the Mediterranean in the medieval period.
6. Pre-Industrial Conditions Europe used the craft system and guild system Lack of specialists Items generally manufactured by the end user
7. Arsenale Arsenale created in 1104 Largest industrial complex in Europe prior to the Industrial Revolution Mainly used to maintain privately-built ships Different areas of the Arsenal each produced a particular prefabricated ship part or other maritime implement Allowed all items required for shipbuilding and outfitting to be kept at one location
8. ArsenaleNuovo ArsenaleNuovo began in 1320 Expanded greatly the workyards and storeyards of the older Arsenale Final changes made to the management and work structure Major munitions depot Capable of outfitting and producing a fully equipped merchant or naval vessel in less than one day
9. Early Management Managed by a group of noblemen patrons Board of Patroni served as logistics officers Provided communication between shipbuilders or local artisans Eventually formed a a single entity composed of the multiple shipbuilding companies
10. Management Transitions Power shifted to Protomaestri (foremen) and one Ammiraglio (Admiral) Noblemen Patroni became advisers and financers Master tradesmen became salaried managers with large stakes in the Arsenale Government forbade these employees from working elsewhere
12. Functional Areas Shipwrights composed the major portion of personnel in ArsenaleNuovo Maintained exclusive forest to provide lumber for hulls, planks, masts, and spars Over 8,000 personnel employed by the shipwright masters
13. Functional Areas Auxiliaries provided important additional components for ships Ropes, rigging, sails, caulking, oil, and spare components Great galleys carried over 25 tons of additional supplies
14. Functional Areas Munitions and foodstuffs were vitally important to warships Crew sizes on the galleys were generally 200 men, requiring many supplies Many Venetian ships were built for the Navy, and munitions were required to maintain dominance in the Mediterranean
15. Worker Structure Typical workers were called arsenalotti Varied in skill level between master, journeyman, and apprentice Workers were skilled in one trade Masters designed exacting specifications Journeymen accomplished most work Apprentices worked in a moving assembly line
16. Worker Structure Arsenalottiwere required to work at least 150 out of 250 work days at the Arsenale Workers drew a daily wage, even skilled masters Salaried protomaestri and administrative officials drew a monthly salary Salaried employees had a life-long contract and were subject to many restrictions regarding travel
17. Worker Structure Arsenalottiswere hated by other workers in Venice Drew lower salaries, but enjoyed privileges and secure lifestyle Early form of state-owned business with pensions and benefits
18. Capabilities At its height, the Arsenale was capable of producing a fully equipped merchant or naval vessel in less than one day The use of interchangeable parts and components allowed for quick refits and repairs Production was divided into 3 main stages: framing, planking and cabins, and final assembly The Arsenal often kept up to 100 galleys in different stages of production and maintenance
20. Side Benefits Shipbuilding improvements Largest collection of master-level craftsmen in the medieval world Shared knowledge and techniques by order of the Board of Patroni Well-funded and capable of experimentation Collection of different nationalities
21. Side Benefits Innovation Laboratories and research space allotted for different trades Created a think-tank atmosphere for some of the brightest minds in the trades Utilized outside scientists, such as Galileo, for consultation and advice
22. Importance First use of moving assembly line First use of interchangeable components and parts First congregation of trades into a single, corporation-like entity Provided numerous advances in the fields of shipbuilding, firearms, and artillery
23. Conclusion The Venetian Arsenal was ahead of its times in a multitude of ways. It dominated European manufacturing in management, techniques, and sheer size and scope
24. References The Venetian Arsenal. (n.d.). Retrieved July 27, 2011 from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venetian_Arsenal Davis, R.C. (2007). Shipbuilders of the Venetian Arsenal: Workers and Workplace in the Pre-Industrial City. Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press. Dolinsky, Anton. "Inventory Management History Part Three: Venetian Arsenal - Ahead of Their Time". Almyta Systems. http://www.almyta.com/Inventory_Management_History_3.asp Kaon Consulting. "The Venetian Arsenal: The World's First Assembly Line." http://www.kaon.com.au/index.php?page=venetian-arsenal
