Back in the early 60s I worked in a steel mill that finished 'rolled or hammered' pre-cast ingots of steel into steel wire or other smaller steel parts.
The rolling mills used crews of 9-11 men for each shift, and they would "pull" a 1200 pound hot piece of steel from a furnace, insert it into a large roller, and then run it back through the roller which was a just a bit smaller, making the piece of steel a little longer and thinner.
This process continued until the length and diameter was reduced until it met the order.
Today, the same process requires ZERO men on the floor, and one computer operator, not to do anything except watch for an error in the process.
Automation has improved the dangerous process of handling hot steel, but it has reduced the need for manual workers to a great degree.
Life goes on.
Very interesting. Thank you.