Came here to say this. Kids were employed because A) it was easier to exploit them and B) they were simply smaller and could get into the corners of those big machines with rattling open cogs & chains etc.
The cynicism behind such decisions is heartbreaking. I mean even back then they could have designed the machines so that an adult could oil them while they’re running. I guess nobody ever thought of it.
And just let me add:
This is why we have socialism. Without it, who knows where our industrialised societies would be now. Even the most conservative or neoliberal shitbag massively benefits from what they fought for 100-200 years ago.
Came here to say this. Kids were employed because A) it was easier to exploit them and B) they were simply smaller and could get into the corners of those big machines with rattling open cogs & chains etc.
The cynicism behind such decisions is heartbreaking. I mean even back then they could have designed the machines so that an adult could oil them while they’re running. I guess nobody ever thought of it.
And just let me add:
This is why we have socialism. Without it, who knows where our industrialised societies would be now. Even the most conservative or neoliberal shitbag massively benefits from what they fought for 100-200 years ago.