Back in the day, there was a modeling and, subsequently, a simulation turn in the philosophy of science.
In case you haven't seen it, my response to "I, Pencil"
https://johnquiggin.com/2011/04/16/i-pencil-a-product-of-the-mixed-economy/
Interestingly, Thoreau (of Walden fame) actually did make pencils from scratch, though mostly not by hand. https://www.thoreaupencils.com
Yes thoreau is part of thjs discussion
In case you haven't seen it, my response to "I, Pencil"
https://johnquiggin.com/2011/04/16/i-pencil-a-product-of-the-mixed-economy/
Interestingly, Thoreau (of Walden fame) actually did make pencils from scratch, though mostly not by hand. https://www.thoreaupencils.com
Yes thoreau is part of thjs discussion