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Bryant and May Match Factory
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Bryant and May Match Factory
Girls feeding a machine at the Bryant & May match factory, in Bow, East London, at the time a tax on matches was being discussed in the budget. Date: 1916
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Media ID 14140312
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Bryant Factories Machinery Manufacture Match Matches Worker
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph from 1916, a group of young women are seen working at the Bryant and May match factory in Bow, East London. At the time, a tax on matches was being discussed in the budget, adding to the financial burden of an industry already grappling with labor unrest and working conditions that were considered harsh by modern standards. The women in the image are intently focused on their tasks, feeding long sticks of green lucifer matches into a machine that would apply the phosphorus tip. The machine, a testament to the industrialization of match production, looms large in the background, its gears and belts turning in a symphony of mechanical precision. Despite the challenging conditions, the women appear determined and resilient, their expressions a mix of concentration and camaraderie. Their uniformity in attire and posture underscores the collective nature of the work, as well as the rigid structure of the factory system. The Bryant and May match factory was one of the largest in the world at the time, employing thousands of workers, mostly women. The company was known for its controversial labor practices, including long hours, low wages, and the use of child labor. However, it also provided employment opportunities for many women, particularly in the East End of London, where unemployment was high. This photograph offers a glimpse into the world of match production during a pivotal moment in history, when the industry was facing significant challenges and the role of women in the workforce was under scrutiny. It serves as a reminder of the human stories that lie behind the machinery of industrialization and the complexities of labor history.
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