This discussion on software estimation brings up an interaction I had with an engineer who optimized Black & Decker assembly lines in 1981 using an Apple II.

They didn't estimate in 'Story Points'. They used atomic physical constraints.

He described it like this:

There was a standardized metric for all manual operations like "reach, one hand, 18-24 inches" or "pick item 10-100g." Each step had a time in decimal seconds... The objective was to minimize the greatest difference in station time so that no line worker is waiting.

The most interesting part was his conclusion on the result: Modern supply management is a miracle, but manual labor today is much harsher... The goal back then was flow; the goal now is 100% utilization.

It feels like in software, we are moving toward that "100% utilization" model (ticket after ticket) and losing the slack that made the line work.