Operatives Collection

Women operatives tending power looms in a Yorkshire woollen mill. Wood engraving, 1883
531840 Women operatives tending power looms in a Yorkshire woollen mill. Wood engraving, 1883.; Universal History Archive/UIG

The Strike at Blackburn, Large Meeting of Operatives in the Market-Place on Thursday Week (engraving)
1612780 The Strike at Blackburn, Large Meeting of Operatives in the Market-Place on Thursday Week (engraving) by English School

Hat factory workers, Southwark, London 1841
Hat factory workers making beaver (or bever) hats at the Christy hat factory in Southwark, London. 1841

Tow carding in a Yorkshire flax mill. Date: 1843

Doubling the drawings in a Yorkshire flax mill. Date: 1843

Carpet shearing machine in a Glasgow carpet factory
Woman operating a carpet shearing machine in a Glasgow carpet factory. Date: 1843

Tank room for boiling nitrate, Chile, South America -- the end product is pure nitrate of soda, known as saltpetre. Date: 1922

Operatives crushing nitrate, Chile, South America -- the end product is pure nitrate of soda, known as saltpetre. Date: 1922

The Preston Strike (engraving)
1097406 The Preston Strike (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Preston Strike)

Dinner given to the Operatives of Messers Horrocks, Miller, and Company, at Manchester
1609069 Dinner given to the Operatives of Messers Horrocks, Miller, and Company, at Manchester, upon their Visit to the Art-Treasures Exhibition (engraving) by English School

Hat factory workers, Southwark, London 1841
Hat factory workers making beaver (or bever) hats at the Christy hat factory in Southwark, London. Men employed in wetting, rolling, pressing ruffling and blocking the hat bodies. Date: 1841

WWI Poster, Appeal to cotton operatives
Appeal to Cotton Operatives. WWI Recruitment poster aimed at the men of the cotton industry to join up or make munitions, and for women to take their place in the mills. Date: circa 1916

School for mill operatives in Manchester
A school for mill operatives at Mr Stirlings mill, lower Mosley Street in Manchester. Date: 1862

Source Size = 3961 x 2927
The Strike at Blackburn, Large Meeting of Operatives in the Marketplace, 1861

Source Size = 3928 x 2134
Dinner Given to the Operatives of Messrs. Horrocks, Miller, and Co. at Manchester, Upon their Visit to the Art Treasures Exhibition

Indian Cotton Operatives

Indian Cotton Operatives

Preparing a giant plum pudding at Marylebone Workhouse, Lond
Members of The United Cooks Society preparing a monster plum pudding for during the festive season at Marylebone Workhouse for the Lancashire operatives

Census tabulation in former Lambeth workhouse
Data from the 1931 census being transferred to punched cards in the former Lambeth workhouse - presumably the one on Princes Road (now Black Prince Road), Lambeth, south London

Preston wage dispute
George Cowell addresses an open air meeting of factory operatives in The Orchard, Preston, Lancashire, during the strike resulting from a wages dispute

Making Music Boxes 1890
Operatives in a toy factory make music boxes

Carpet Embroidering
Two operatives are required for the Embroidering Machine which produces carpets with floral and other designs for the Victorian home

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"Unsung Heroes: The Resilient Operatives of the Industrial Era" In the midst of World War I, a powerful poster emerged, appealing to cotton operatives - those hardworking individuals who played a crucial role in shaping societies. This captivating image depicted their unwavering dedication and commitment during the Cotton Famine, an engraving that immortalized their struggle. One such scene captured the essence of their perseverance as operatives patiently awaited breakfast in Mr. Chapman's Courtyard near Manchester. Their resilience echoed through time, even as they gathered at Camp-field free library, engrossed in reading news from America amidst uncertain times. These they were not mere workers; they formed an integral part of society. As illustrated on Mr. Bright's seventieth birthday celebration engraving, their contributions were celebrated and acknowledged by all. However, it was not always smooth sailing for these industrious men and women. The strike at Blackburn showcased their unity and determination as large meetings took place in Market-Place to fight for better working conditions and fair treatment. Their labor extended beyond cotton mills; hat factory workers in Southwark exemplified diversity within this workforce while tow carding in Yorkshire flax mills displayed versatility among these skilled individuals. The operativeness expanded across industries with carpet shearing machines revolutionizing Glasgow's carpet factories while tank rooms boiling nitrate highlighted global connections reaching Chilean shores where operatives crushed nitrate tirelessly. Through triumphs and tribulations alike, these unsung heroes shaped history with every thread woven or machine operated. They embodied strength, adaptability, and resilience – qualities that defined them throughout generations. As we look back upon these engravings capturing moments frozen in time, let us remember the indomitable spirit of these operatives whose efforts laid foundations for progress worldwide.