Vintage work crew photos

[carl blum]

I knew a fellow in Kansas City that worked in a cigar factory. His doctor told him to stop smoking since it was damaging his lungs. He never smoked.

[12bolts]

Why is that Carl? They roll cigars at the factory, not smoke them

[IntheGroove]

Chance's are good he's reading "The Count of Monte Cristo"...

[volodar]

Chance's are good he's reading "The Count of Monte Cristo"...

Chances are that the picture is posed. However, it's possible that he took part in a couple of readings of whatever each day, aloud. This would entertain the workers in the pre soap-opera days on radio or tv, and possibly keep gossip and chatter down. Would also give him a chance to dress up for the women. On the left, even the stock-robot wears a tie (but no hat). My wife and I toured through a cigar rolling place somewhere in the Dominican while attending our daughter's wedding. Interesting, while tourist and sales oriented.

[Jon]

I don't know how they lifted the torpedoes in the 1947 LA submarine base image, but here's a related image without such a mystery.

Crewmen transferring a torpedo from a submarine tender to a submarine about to leave on war patrol. May 1945.

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[skibo]

My Grandmother on my mother's side in the early thirties worked in a cigar factory in Kansas and my Grandmother called it a sweat shop! She did say anything that fell to the floor was used for chewing tobacco, as most of the workers were bare foot,Humm, good stuff!

[Jon]

Grumman TBF Avenger is hoisted aboard the USS Santee. October 1942.

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[CharlesWaugh]

Safety is very important (And I'm a guy who, after 46 years of professional table-saw use, finally got a finger mangled by one)

BUT...
Apprenticeships are gone b/c of the labor laws.

No all kids learn by book + lecture. Many are best at using their hands and brian together, but tools are all but verboten in schools these days, and kids aren't allowed to go work with a craftsman - especially at low pay.

Charles Waugh
President of The Grumpy Old Farts Club

[Jon]

Canning machines. J.S. Farrand Packing Co., Baltimore, MD. 1909.

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[Jon]

Carrying wool, Sydney, Kerry and Co, Sydney, Australia, c. 1884-1917

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