The Hindenburg Program

The Hindenburg Program was a German industrial effort during World War I, aiming to rapidly increase military production, especially for aircraft and munitions. Launched in 1916, it involved centralizing control, standardizing manufacturing, and boosting efficiency to support the war effort. However, it also led to increased worker exploitation, longer hours, and poor working conditions due to the intense focus on output targets. While it achieved some production gains, the program highlighted the costs of prioritizing wartime productivity over worker well-being and contributed to broader debates on industrial management during wartime.