Coal heavers were a unique part of naval history, tackling one of the toughest jobs aboard ships. These workers were responsible for moving heavy buckets of coal from the ship’s bunker to the boiler furnaces. Coal heavers could make up to 50 trips a day, each with a bucket weighing about 140 pounds. Life as … Read more

The craft of lobster pot making is a unique and important tradition that has withstood the test of time. In places like the UK, artisans like Nigel Legge continue to preserve these old customs, crafting pots by hand in the way fishermen used to for centuries. This skill not only keeps a piece of history … Read more

The calenderer was a skilled worker who played a crucial role in the textile industry during the 18th century. People in this job specialized in pressing cloth to make it smooth and glossy. In a time before modern machinery, their expertise was essential for finishing fabrics like calico. Becoming a calenderer required a seven-year apprenticeship, … Read more

Long before modern machines made the process easier, there was a special craft dedicated to making sure swords shone bright and sharp. A sword polisher’s job was to clean, polish, and perfect the surfaces of swords. These skilled artisans played a crucial role in transforming rough metal into gleaming weapons of war. Sword polishers not … Read more

Many might wonder what life was like before modern plumbing and sanitation. One of the most peculiar jobs of the past was the gong farmer. Gong farmers were responsible for cleaning out human waste from cesspits during the Tudor period. In the days of Queen Elizabeth I, being a gong farmer was both necessary and … Read more

In the days long before modern pest control, rat catchers played a crucial role in keeping cities cleaner and safer. As the name suggests, these individuals were tasked with capturing or exterminating rats, which were notorious spreaders of disease. The rat catcher was an essential job, particularly during times of plague, when the need to … Read more

Back in the 19th century, the job of a leech collector was both peculiar and necessary. These individuals had the unusual task of gathering leeches from marshy areas and ponds to supply doctors who used them for bloodletting, a common medical treatment of the time. Leech collectors would often wade into water bodies, allowing leeches … Read more

In a time before refrigerators were common in every home, the milkman played a crucial role in everyday life. These workers delivered fresh milk right to the doorsteps, ensuring families had the dairy products they needed daily. As technology advanced and fridges became more widespread, the milkman slowly disappeared from neighborhoods. The milkman didn’t just … Read more

In the days before modern machines and gadgets filled every workspace, certain jobs played unique roles that have since disappeared. One such job was that of a lector, a person who read aloud to workers in places like cigar factories. Lectors provided both information and entertainment, bridging the gap between the mundane workday and the … Read more

Bowling alleys were not always the lively, automated places we know today. Before machines took over, a job called a pinsetter was essential. Pinsetters, often young boys, worked hard to reset pins by hand after every bowl. This demanding job required precision and speed to keep games moving smoothly. With the invention of the mechanical … Read more