How many people were needed to produce the same amount of loaves per day before Joseph Lee's invention?

To understand why the answer is twelve, it's important to consider the historical context surrounding Joseph Lee's invention, which revolutionized the bread-making process. Before Lee's invention of the bread-making machine in the early 20th century, the production of loaves was labor-intensive and required a large number of workers.

Lee's innovations allowed for increased efficiency and output with fewer hands needed on deck. By streamlining processes and mechanizing aspects of bread production, it was possible to significantly reduce the workforce required to produce the same quantity of loaves. The fact that twelve workers were needed prior to this innovation highlights the remarkable gains in productivity that new technologies can bring about in traditional industries.

The other options suggest varying numbers that could have been needed, but only twelve accurately captures the precise amount that was historically reported to handle daily bread production before the improvements initiated by Lee. This pivot emphasizes not just the influence of innovation on labor efficiency, but also the transformative impacts on industries reliant on manual labor.