Can't help but see the parallel between this craft and many other crafts. In the beginning the people doing it are independent, isolated artisans. You might've

Can't help but see the parallel between this craft and many other crafts. In the beginning the people doing it are independent, isolated artisans. You might've been the one guy in your village who knows how to, let's say, make barrels. Except for maybe your own sons, whom you yourself taught. In fact the skill is so uniquely identified with you and your family, people actually go ahead and make it your surname - William the cooper slowly becomes William Cooper. Fast forward to let's say the early 1900s, and people have figured out how to automate and mass-produce barrels very efficiently, such that there's really nothing much to it anymore. It becomes a question of your materials-sourcing abilities. One person can make lots more barrels a lot more easily, and do it better than you can. Because of this, most people just buy a barrel when they need one; they don't make them by hand anymore.