Dark Side of Industrial Revolution: Child Labor Captured in Photos in Early 20th Century

Dark Side of Industrial Revolution: Child Labor Captured in Photos in Early 20th Century
Rhodes Mfg. Co., Lincolnton, N.C. Spinner. A moments glimpse of the outer world Said she was 10 years old. Been working over a year. In Lincolnton, N. Carol., in November 1908. L. W. Hine/LOC
Ingrid Longauerová
Updated:

Lewis Hine (1874-1940) worked as an investigative photographer for the National Child Labor Committee. Between 1908 and 1924 his role was to document the working and living conditions of children in the United States. 

By 1900, an estimated 1.7 million children under the age of 15 were employed in American industry. In 1910, the number had increased to 2 million. 

At that time, Lewis Hine’s photographs were the only way to show the plight of working children. 

The collection consists of more than 5,100 photographic prints and 355 glass negatives. Often, instead of being at school, children worked in factories, textile mills, or coal mines. Some worked night shifts lasting 12 hours. 

The situation eventually changed when automatized technology made child labor obsolete. 

All captions are original notes taken by the photographer.

 

Young Cigarmakers at  Englahardt & Co., in Tampa, Florida. These boys looked under 14. Work was slack and youngsters were not being employed much. Labor told me in busy times many small boys and girls are employed. Youngsters all smoke. In January 1909. (L. W. Hine/LOC)
Young Cigarmakers at  Englahardt & Co., in Tampa, Florida. These boys looked under 14. Work was slack and youngsters were not being employed much. Labor told me in busy times many small boys and girls are employed. Youngsters all smoke. In January 1909. L. W. Hine/LOC
Ingrid Longauerová
Ingrid Longauerová
journalist/graphic designer
Ingrid Longauerová is a long time employee at the Epoch Media Group. She started working with The Epoch Times as a freelance journalist in 2007 before coming to New York and work in the Web Production department. She is currently a senior graphic designer for the Elite Magazine, a premier luxury lifestyle magazine for affluent Chinese in America produced by the EMG.
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