[Gallagher]

air conditioning yes, hours no. preindustrial work day was more spread out through the day, but only really amounted to about the same 8 hours as we have now. now n days has a much higher productivity expectation than back in olden times, too.

if we're also considering all of the things people made in their free time, there might be an argument to be made. but let's be real, people now n days like to make things to use for themselves just as much, even with alternatives fully available to them.

and let's not even dig into the difference in holidays. i don't wanna go back to olden times or anything, but goodness, they knew a thing or two about holiday time off.