It wobbles a bit though

Industrialists have just countered work efficiency improvements with…more work.

Yes, exactly. Before industrialisation people worked on average less hours than we do now.

The modern hats look like a satirical version of the original.

I think that’s a disingenious estimate to say that food is far cheaper now than it was previously in human history. Before industrialization, growing food did take up a large portion of people’s time but their yearly work hours were much smaller.

It has improved massively, at least in the west. Saying “somewhat” is a massive underestimation and undermindes the fight of women for hundreds of years.