ndcd nnvtn s mcrcnmc hypthss frst prpsd n 1932 by Jhn Hcks n hs wrk Th Thry f Wgs. H prpsd tht " chng n th rltv prcs f th fctrs f prdctn s tslf spr t nvntn, nd t nvntn f prtclr knd—drctd t cnmzng th s f fctr whch hs bcm rltvly xpnsv."
Cnsdrbl ltrtr hs bn prdcd n ths hypthss, whch s ftn prsntd n trms f th ffcts f wg ncrss s n ncrgmnt t lbr-svng nnvtn. Th hypthss hs ls bn ppld t vwng ncrss n nrgy csts s mtvtn fr mr rpd mprvmnt n nrgy ffcncy f gds thn wld nrmlly ccr.