The Mill: Macon, Georgia (Lewis Hine, 1912)
What were these kids doing and why?
Child Labor during the guided age caused many unfortunate situations for children to be in. As corporations grew they needed cheap labor for assembly of their products. They relied almost completely on children and immigrants willing to work for less than minimum wage. Lewis W. Hine states, “Some boys and girls were so small they had to climb up on to the spinning frame to mend broken threads and to put back the empty bobbins” (Hine). As Hine photographed these factories he saw horrors, which he would not have guessed to be true in a million years.
In Lewis Hines’ photograph young children are standing on cotton mill equipment to string the cotton into the rollers. The children wear ripped overalls and old t-shirts, they have Hats and one child is not wearing shoes. Both children look tired and overworked. The youngest one of them looks too tired to keep standing on the mill. However, if the boy stopped he would be fired.
In the cotton mill the two boys are standing on the dangerous machines. They are wearing old ripped clothes and small hats. The younger of the boys is not wearing shoes. The floor and mill are covered with thick dust. On the mill there is a band that spins extremely fast, which winds the thread through the dangerous needles.
Both of the two boys are dressed in old clothes and one is not wearing shoes, therefore it is implied that they are not wealthy and have to work in the cotton mill in order to support their family. The dust collected on the floor and machines proves that the mill was not cleaned often or even at all. Both boys are young and the solidarity suggests that they were not supervised by an adult. Without supervision these boys could easily be injured or even killed by the dangerous mill. In conclusion the company owner did what ever they could to cut cost of production, by creating poor work environments and putting young children in danger just to save a little money.
The Mill: Macon, Georgia (Lewis Hine, 1912)
What were these kids doing and why?
Child Labor during the guided age caused many unfortunate situations for children to be in. As corporations grew they needed cheap labor for assembly of their products. They relied almost completely on children and immigrants willing to work for less than minimum wage. Lewis W. Hine states, “Some boys and girls were so small they had to climb up on to the spinning frame to mend broken threads and to put back the empty bobbins” (Hine). As Hine photographed these factories he saw horrors, which he would not have guessed to be true in a million years.
In Lewis Hines’ photograph young children are standing on cotton mill equipment to string the cotton into the rollers. The children wear ripped overalls and old t-shirts, they have Hats and one child is not wearing shoes. Both children look tired and overworked. The youngest one of them looks too tired to keep standing on the mill. However, if the boy stopped he would be fired.
In the cotton mill the two boys are standing on the dangerous machines. They are wearing old ripped clothes and small hats. The younger of the boys is not wearing shoes. The floor and mill are covered with thick dust. On the mill there is a band that spins extremely fast, which winds the thread through the dangerous needles.
Both of the two boys are dressed in old clothes and one is not wearing shoes, therefore it is implied that they are not wealthy and have to work in the cotton mill in order to support their family. The dust collected on the floor and machines proves that the mill was not cleaned often or even at all. Both boys are young and the solidarity suggests that they were not supervised by an adult. Without supervision these boys could easily be injured or even killed by the dangerous mill. In conclusion the company owner did what ever they could to cut cost of production, by creating poor work environments and putting young children in danger just to save a little money.
Miners: View of the Ewen Breaker of the Pennsylvania Coal Co. South Pittston, Pennsylvania (Lewis Hine, 1908)
What were their work conditions and why?
Coal mines during the early to mid 1900’s employed some of the most unfortunate children in America. As the transportation industry grew, railroads needed more coal than ever before. Coal mines were required dangerous work, yet they hired children to work for low wages. “The dust was so dense at times as to obscure the view. This dust penetrated the utmost recesses of the boys' lungs. A kind of slave-driver sometimes stands over the boys, prodding or kicking them into obedience.” (Hine). As Lewis W. Hine photographed these workplaces he saw the terrible conditions. of which mistreated workers had to put up with.
In Lewis W. Hine’s photograph, rows of workers sit in a smoggy and dirty room, while sorting through boxes of raw coal. The boys and men wear torn and dirty coats, as well as fabric hats. Nobody looks up from the boxes because if they did, a man would likely kick them for not working hard enough. Each worker looks broken down and mindless.
All around the smoggy ash filled room there are boys sitting on hard wood floors and a man holding a metal bar to make sure people don’t stop working. Behind each worker their is a small wood plank used as a backrest for the people sitting on the ground. In the boxes their are small pieces of coal, for the workers to sort through. Even thought there are windows on the side of the room their does not seem to be any daylight getting through.
These young children likely were in complete poverty, and many of them likely did not have places to sleep at night. Their coats and hats suggests that the room was very cold and the company did not supply heat. The tears in one boys coat suggests he was not able to buy a new coat and struggled to keep warm. In conclusion the Robber Baron who owned this specific coal company treated his workers poorly and used force to make children behave, just like slave owners would have to inform obedience on their slaves.
What were their work conditions and why?
Coal mines during the early to mid 1900’s employed some of the most unfortunate children in America. As the transportation industry grew, railroads needed more coal than ever before. Coal mines were required dangerous work, yet they hired children to work for low wages. “The dust was so dense at times as to obscure the view. This dust penetrated the utmost recesses of the boys' lungs. A kind of slave-driver sometimes stands over the boys, prodding or kicking them into obedience.” (Hine). As Lewis W. Hine photographed these workplaces he saw the terrible conditions. of which mistreated workers had to put up with.
In Lewis W. Hine’s photograph, rows of workers sit in a smoggy and dirty room, while sorting through boxes of raw coal. The boys and men wear torn and dirty coats, as well as fabric hats. Nobody looks up from the boxes because if they did, a man would likely kick them for not working hard enough. Each worker looks broken down and mindless.
All around the smoggy ash filled room there are boys sitting on hard wood floors and a man holding a metal bar to make sure people don’t stop working. Behind each worker their is a small wood plank used as a backrest for the people sitting on the ground. In the boxes their are small pieces of coal, for the workers to sort through. Even thought there are windows on the side of the room their does not seem to be any daylight getting through.
These young children likely were in complete poverty, and many of them likely did not have places to sleep at night. Their coats and hats suggests that the room was very cold and the company did not supply heat. The tears in one boys coat suggests he was not able to buy a new coat and struggled to keep warm. In conclusion the Robber Baron who owned this specific coal company treated his workers poorly and used force to make children behave, just like slave owners would have to inform obedience on their slaves.
The Factory: Some of the young knitters in London Hosiery Mills. London, Tennessee (Lewis Hine, 1908).
What are these young workers doing and why?
After the Civil War concluded in 1865, the industrial time period known as the “Gilded Age” occurred. Many entrepreneurs dominated the economy and brought the United States to the highest industrialization country in the world. However, there were many consequences to these large changes. Many people in America were unemployed and were forced to obtain these dangerous jobs. The economy was not doing well and the majority of jobs were very low paying. The factories and large companies needed many workers in order to continue striving. This is when all people, including kids, started to work for many large companies that were run by extremely successful entrepreneurs. Many families did not have enough money to raise kids so they forced them to work or abandoned them to decrease their responsibilities. These children joining the workforce became a large issue throughout the Gilded Age. According to Virginia.edu, “The 1890 census revealed that more than one million children, ten to fifteen years old, worked in America.” That number continued to increase in the upcoming years.
In Lewis Hines remarkable photograph, there are approximately 6 females and 1 male. The ages of the young adults appear to range from 10 to 28. The female closest to the camera wears a solid color and a relatively shortened dress, whereas the rest of the young females wear long, rugged, flowing dresses. The solo man is wearing black jeans with a button down and suspenders to go along with a black hat. All of the workers are wearing solid clothes and strong shoes in order to support them standing the entire day. All of the people in the photograph appear to be extremely focused on something that involves their hands. Their only facial expression is one of concentration which shows they are extremely focused on their work and nothing else.
Surrounding the young workers are many objects and machinery that appears to be unsafe, particularly for young workers. There are many sharp objects all over the floor that are not being cared to. The young workers are using large machines that are being operated with their hands. The machinery looks to be made up of long chains and large devices at the top of them. There is also multiple long sheets of soft material hanging on the machines. It is clear that the machines are very tall which is why the factory appears to be extensive in size.
Despite the picture being capable of having many reasonable explanations for what is occurring, it is favorable to say that these young adults are working in a knitting factory for the means of cloth production. This can be supported because all of the workers are reasonably young and all besides one are females. Many females were hired for knitting because they had small hands and were very careful with knitting. The location of the factory is most likely in the South because that is where raw cotton was the most popular production in the world. These workers obtained this demanding job because they were in need of money due to the economy not thriving. Also, they might of taken this job to pitch into their families income since most jobs during the Gilded Age were low-paying jobs.
What are these young workers doing and why?
After the Civil War concluded in 1865, the industrial time period known as the “Gilded Age” occurred. Many entrepreneurs dominated the economy and brought the United States to the highest industrialization country in the world. However, there were many consequences to these large changes. Many people in America were unemployed and were forced to obtain these dangerous jobs. The economy was not doing well and the majority of jobs were very low paying. The factories and large companies needed many workers in order to continue striving. This is when all people, including kids, started to work for many large companies that were run by extremely successful entrepreneurs. Many families did not have enough money to raise kids so they forced them to work or abandoned them to decrease their responsibilities. These children joining the workforce became a large issue throughout the Gilded Age. According to Virginia.edu, “The 1890 census revealed that more than one million children, ten to fifteen years old, worked in America.” That number continued to increase in the upcoming years.
In Lewis Hines remarkable photograph, there are approximately 6 females and 1 male. The ages of the young adults appear to range from 10 to 28. The female closest to the camera wears a solid color and a relatively shortened dress, whereas the rest of the young females wear long, rugged, flowing dresses. The solo man is wearing black jeans with a button down and suspenders to go along with a black hat. All of the workers are wearing solid clothes and strong shoes in order to support them standing the entire day. All of the people in the photograph appear to be extremely focused on something that involves their hands. Their only facial expression is one of concentration which shows they are extremely focused on their work and nothing else.
Surrounding the young workers are many objects and machinery that appears to be unsafe, particularly for young workers. There are many sharp objects all over the floor that are not being cared to. The young workers are using large machines that are being operated with their hands. The machinery looks to be made up of long chains and large devices at the top of them. There is also multiple long sheets of soft material hanging on the machines. It is clear that the machines are very tall which is why the factory appears to be extensive in size.
Despite the picture being capable of having many reasonable explanations for what is occurring, it is favorable to say that these young adults are working in a knitting factory for the means of cloth production. This can be supported because all of the workers are reasonably young and all besides one are females. Many females were hired for knitting because they had small hands and were very careful with knitting. The location of the factory is most likely in the South because that is where raw cotton was the most popular production in the world. These workers obtained this demanding job because they were in need of money due to the economy not thriving. Also, they might of taken this job to pitch into their families income since most jobs during the Gilded Age were low-paying jobs.
Young boys working for Hickok Lumber Co. Burlington, Vermont (Lewis Hine, 1908)
Why are these kids under such work conditions and why?
Throughout the Gilded Age, lumber played a huge role in new inventions and allowed many companies to continue thriving. The lumber industry gave companies a boost because it was used to fuel steam engines. These steam engines were used by new machines in industries for quicker production. More importantly, the lumber during the Gilded Age was a necessity throughout the making of the transcontinental railroad. This railroad was produced in order to make the commute easier to travel across the country. Since this railroad was so long, there was a large demand for an extensive amount of lumber. This means that unimaginable amounts of lumber would need to be produced each day through chopping down trees and organizing them. These were both demanding jobs because lumber is very heavy and needed many people in order to move it. According to the American Railroad Journal, “In a railroad to the Pacific we have a great national work, transcending, in its magnitude, and in its results, anything yet attempted by man” (Henry Poor). Henry documents the transcontinental railroad and recognized that it is a project that no man has ever tried.
In Lewis Hines intriguing photograph, three young men are standing, surrounded by many piles of lumber. The workers are certainly young and are approximately ages 10 to 18. The three men stand a couple inches away from each other. The three men are wearing strong black boots, black pants, ragged, old button downs, and a top hat. The youngest boy, closest to the camera, has a black suit on that is decently formal. All of the workers are dressed nicely, particularly for this dirty job. The workers look emotionally exhausted and the one closest to the camera appears to be the most surprised by the amount of work they have to do. He is carrying a long piece of lumber and clearly shows how difficult it is to carry the material.
This unsafe work environment can’t be undermined by any means. Surrounding the three men, there is clearly an innumerable amount of lumber. The lumber is organized into many piles that are stacked high off the ground. The stacks are not piled evenly so it appears that the pile could fall if it is touched lightly. The piling of the logs and being surrounded by them are both factors that are not safe. Serious injuries could occur as a result of these logs being stacked too high. In addition, the logs can create serious wounds to peoples hands. This is not a safe working environment for any human, particularly kids. The ground also appears to be uneven which could result in someone tripping. Both the logs and ground are very dirty which could make the workers filthy.
Despite it being nearly impossible to guess these three peoples stories precisely, it can be inferred that the three young adults are working for one of the lumber companies during the Gilded Age. There were very large companies during this time period because lumber was in large demand. It is most likely in the Northeast because it was one of the most popular lumber locations. Also, the workers are wearing thick clothing which shows is must be cold outside.. They seem as if they are pondering how much longer they can physically and mentally cope with this labor. The boys must be in need of money and were forced to obtain this demanding job.
Why are these kids under such work conditions and why?
Throughout the Gilded Age, lumber played a huge role in new inventions and allowed many companies to continue thriving. The lumber industry gave companies a boost because it was used to fuel steam engines. These steam engines were used by new machines in industries for quicker production. More importantly, the lumber during the Gilded Age was a necessity throughout the making of the transcontinental railroad. This railroad was produced in order to make the commute easier to travel across the country. Since this railroad was so long, there was a large demand for an extensive amount of lumber. This means that unimaginable amounts of lumber would need to be produced each day through chopping down trees and organizing them. These were both demanding jobs because lumber is very heavy and needed many people in order to move it. According to the American Railroad Journal, “In a railroad to the Pacific we have a great national work, transcending, in its magnitude, and in its results, anything yet attempted by man” (Henry Poor). Henry documents the transcontinental railroad and recognized that it is a project that no man has ever tried.
In Lewis Hines intriguing photograph, three young men are standing, surrounded by many piles of lumber. The workers are certainly young and are approximately ages 10 to 18. The three men stand a couple inches away from each other. The three men are wearing strong black boots, black pants, ragged, old button downs, and a top hat. The youngest boy, closest to the camera, has a black suit on that is decently formal. All of the workers are dressed nicely, particularly for this dirty job. The workers look emotionally exhausted and the one closest to the camera appears to be the most surprised by the amount of work they have to do. He is carrying a long piece of lumber and clearly shows how difficult it is to carry the material.
This unsafe work environment can’t be undermined by any means. Surrounding the three men, there is clearly an innumerable amount of lumber. The lumber is organized into many piles that are stacked high off the ground. The stacks are not piled evenly so it appears that the pile could fall if it is touched lightly. The piling of the logs and being surrounded by them are both factors that are not safe. Serious injuries could occur as a result of these logs being stacked too high. In addition, the logs can create serious wounds to peoples hands. This is not a safe working environment for any human, particularly kids. The ground also appears to be uneven which could result in someone tripping. Both the logs and ground are very dirty which could make the workers filthy.
Despite it being nearly impossible to guess these three peoples stories precisely, it can be inferred that the three young adults are working for one of the lumber companies during the Gilded Age. There were very large companies during this time period because lumber was in large demand. It is most likely in the Northeast because it was one of the most popular lumber locations. Also, the workers are wearing thick clothing which shows is must be cold outside.. They seem as if they are pondering how much longer they can physically and mentally cope with this labor. The boys must be in need of money and were forced to obtain this demanding job.