The “Matrix of Work” provides an interdisciplinary “big picture” of the global history of human work from its beginnings to the end of the 21st century. In the sense of a matrix, the book encompasses both an in-depth analysis of the essential structural elements of the epochs of work and an examination of overarching dimensions across epochal boundaries. Empirical research forms the core of the matrix materials. It includes an extensive compilation of data from the disciplines of economic and social statistics, archaeology, ethnology and global historical research on productivity, working and living hours, domestic and family work, consumption baskets and their distribution, and much more. These findings are presented in the form of timelines, tables and informative graphics. Based on this data and knowledge of the current state of research in these fields, theses are formulated to understand the big picture. Anyone with an interest in the history and future of work will find new insights, thought-provoking arguments, and distinctive set of long-term data highly valuable.