Industrial Work
Being an industrial worker during the 1800's meant long hours, bad pay, and grotesque and dangerous conditions. As an adult, you are equipped to make a decision on where you will be working, but the children were forced into work and a majority of the time were uneducated to the work they would be doing, increasing the risk of injury. Children worked up to 19 hour work shifts with as little as a one hour break where they were forced to stay in the factory.1 Children were often beaten when they didn't perform their tasks correctly or weren't keeping up with a fast enough pace. These long hours and unruly conditions were the most observed by Lewis Hine through his photographs.
Girls:
Most often, girls worked in cotton mills and masks the machines that were often three times the size of each worker. The skirts that the girls wore were a huge safety hazard and would get caught in the machines, leading to severe injuries or death. Many of these girls were seen as slave labor because of the low wages and long hours leading to a lack of childhood. 2
Most often, girls worked in cotton mills and masks the machines that were often three times the size of each worker. The skirts that the girls wore were a huge safety hazard and would get caught in the machines, leading to severe injuries or death. Many of these girls were seen as slave labor because of the low wages and long hours leading to a lack of childhood. 2
A Little Spinner in a Georgia Mill:
As shown, in these factories there was debris all over the floor, a large risk of young girls skirts getting sucked into the machines, and an overwhelming size difference between the young girls and the machines. These size differences lead to injuries involving the machines. The children were covered in dirt wearing worn clothing adding to the overall lack of cleanliness.
Young Boys:
As the cottons machines were already taken care of, this lead the young boys into different jobs working as glass makers (left) or making cigars (right). Some boys did work in the cotton mills, but many were expected to handle these more demanding jobs.
As the cottons machines were already taken care of, this lead the young boys into different jobs working as glass makers (left) or making cigars (right). Some boys did work in the cotton mills, but many were expected to handle these more demanding jobs.
Indiana Glass Works:
This picture was taken at 9 P.M. in a glass factory in Indiana. It is apparent all these boys are under 18 and should not be working until 9 P.M. |
Boys in a Cigar Factory:
This picture was taken in Indiana as well in a cigar factory. These conditions are better than others, but the hours were very long and pay was very low. |