# The Origins of Efficiency by Brian Potter

7 Hacker News commenters recommended The Origins of Efficiency by Brian Potter and 0 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 5 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Recommended as a readable history of manufacturing efficiency, including the Model T path. Commenters find it a useful reference and enjoyable to read.

## Why people recommend it

- Relevant to manufacturing and industrial history (3 comments): "one of the interesting things it talks about is the path of the Model T" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46814880)) "Still a pretty good reference IMO for people working in manufacturing." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46396636)) "check Stripe Press latest on indutrial automation" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48491252))
- Recommended as a book on efficiency (3 comments): "The book "Origins of Efficiency" by Brian Potter discusses this." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48154447)) "You may like this book called The Origins of Efficiency" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46452981)) "Here's a good book on the topic that you may enjoy" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50077733))
- Enjoyed by readers (2 comments): "Conversely I rather enjoyed The Origins of Efficiency" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49999855)) "Here's a good book on the topic that you may enjoy" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50077733))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow](https://hackerapproved.com/p/dawn-of-everything.md): 23 recommend
- [Cadillac Desert by Marc Reisner](https://hackerapproved.com/p/cadillac-desert.md): 18 recommend
- [The Box by Marc Levinson](https://hackerapproved.com/p/box.md): 16 recommend
- [Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari](https://hackerapproved.com/p/sapiens.md): 13 recommend
- [Chip War by Chris Miller](https://hackerapproved.com/p/chip-war.md): 13 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Origins+of+Efficiency+by+Brian+Potter&tag=YOURTAG-20) (affiliate link)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "The Origins of Efficiency by Brian Potter", https://hackerapproved.com/p/origins-of-efficiency/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).