150: Life Before Worker’s Rights: This Toxic Workplace Turned Girls Radioactive!?
Dark History
Key Insights
Why were matches so important in the 1800s?
Matches were crucial in the 1800s because they were used to light candles, lamps, stoves, and fireplaces, which were essential for daily life before electricity.
What health issues did match factory workers face?
Match factory workers, particularly women and children, suffered from a disease called Fosse-Jaw, characterized by severe toothaches, jaw swelling, and eventual jawbone rot due to exposure to white phosphorus.
How did the Match Girls Strike impact workers' rights?
The Match Girls Strike in 1888 led to improved working conditions, increased pay, and the formation of the Union of Women Matchmakers, inspiring broader labor movements and unionization efforts.
Why did Bryant and May continue using white phosphorus despite its dangers?
Bryant and May continued using white phosphorus because it was cheaper than the safer alternative, red phosphorus, and switching would have cut into their profits.
What was the role of Annie Besant in the Match Girls' plight?
Annie Besant, a member of the Fabian Society, wrote an exposé titled 'White Slavery in London,' highlighting the inhumane conditions and health hazards faced by the Match Girls, which garnered public attention and support.
How did the public react to the Match Girls' strike?
The public rallied behind the Match Girls, donating to support their strike and pressuring Bryant and May to improve working conditions through media coverage and public outcry.
What long-term effects did the Match Girls Strike have on labor conditions?
The Match Girls Strike set a precedent for workers' rights and inspired broader labor movements, leading to increased unionization and better working conditions across various industries.
Why did the government eventually intervene in match factories?
The government intervened in 1893, requiring factories to be certified by an outside organization and prove they offered better ventilation and sanitation, partly due to public pressure and the ongoing health hazards.
Chapters
- Matches were crucial before electricity, but their production was deadly.
- White phosphorus, used to make matches, caused slow, painful deaths and face-altering injuries.
- Workers, mostly women and children, endured 12-14 hour days, fines for minor infractions, and physical abuse.
Shownotes Transcript
