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Slaughtering Beef 1895
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Slaughtering Beef 1895
Slaughtering cattle at Armour & Co. in Chicago, USA. Date: 1895
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Media ID 14293658
© Mary Evans Picture Library
Abattoir Armour Beef Butcher Butchery Cattle Chicago Meat Pole Slaughter Slaughtering 1895
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This evocative photograph captures the raw and unflinching reality of slaughtering beef in Chicago, USA, during the late 19th century. Taken in 1895 at Armour & Company, one of the country's largest meat-packing plants, the image offers a glimpse into the industrial-scale production of meat that revolutionized the food industry. In the foreground, a skilled butcher wields an axe, poised to deliver a swift and precise blow to a tethered steer. The animal, its eyes wide with fear, stands immobile, its fate sealed. Surrounding them, other cattle await their turn, their forms silhouetted against the dimly lit, brick-walled interior of the abattoir. The scene is a stark reminder of the harsh realities of meat production during this era. The use of the pole yoke and axe, rather than more modern methods, underscores the physical labor and skill required to process livestock on such a large scale. The image also highlights the close quarters in which the animals were housed, raising questions about the living conditions and treatment of the cattle. Despite the challenging conditions, the efficiency and scale of operations at Armour & Company and other meat-packing plants enabled the mass production and distribution of affordable meat, transforming the American diet and shaping the food industry as we know it today. This photograph serves as a powerful reminder of the complex history behind our food supply and the sacrifices made to bring it to our tables.
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