In the fifties, there was a groundswell among consumers to do work in less
time, and take that extra time to go fishing or spend quality time with the
family.

So, in comes the riding mower. The idea was that what once took you four
hours to do with inefficient tools would now take one hour, net gain three
hours for napping or fishing or golfing, or whatever.

Didn't happen.

Net result of riding lawnmowers?

You could have more grass.

Same with most "labor saving" devices. You don't save time, which is then
squandered on frivolous pursuits. You can do more work in the same amount
of time, so now you can have and maintain more "stuff."

Steve