Origins of the Workweek

The concept of the 40-hour work week emerged from the struggles of factory workers during the industrial revolution, who often toiled over 100 hours a week. In a bid to stimulate consumerism, Henry Ford introduced the weekend in the 1920s, recognizing that well-rested employees would have the time and means to purchase goods, including cars. This pivotal change laid the groundwork for the modern workweek we know today.