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French female munitions worker making powder primers 1916
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French female munitions worker making powder primers 1916
A photograph of a female munitions worker, as she makes the primers and other associated percussion cap parts for shells, in a French munitions factory. Women were favoured for this work as their hands were small. In England, the women who filled shells were known as Canaries because the chemicals used to make the explosives, turned their skin yellow. Date: 1916
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Media ID 20159399
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Bubblepunk
Canaries Chemicals Favoured Filled Munitions Parts Percussion Powder Shells Worker
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This evocative photograph captures the determination and resilience of a French female munitions worker during World War I. In the image, she meticulously assembles powder primers and other percussion cap parts for shells in a French munitions factory. Women were favored for this delicate and intricate work due to the small size of their hands. The use of women in munitions factories was a significant departure from traditional gender roles, as they had previously been relegated to domestic and caregiving roles. The year was 1916, and the First World War was raging across Europe. The demand for munitions was immense, and factories were working around the clock to meet the military's needs. In England, the women who filled shells were known as "Canaries" due to the yellowing of their skin caused by the chemicals used to make the explosives. This French woman's expression suggests a deep focus and concentration as she carefully handles the primers, each one a potential lifeline for soldiers on the front lines. Her uniform is covered in a fine layer of white powder, a testament to the hazardous nature of her work. The background of the photograph reveals a bustling factory floor, with other women working in unison, each performing their role in the production process. The photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the critical role women played in the war effort during World War I, often working in dangerous conditions to support the troops and help bring an end to the conflict.
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