Sadie Pfeifer, Child Worker, at Lancaster Cotton Mills in South Carolina, November 30, 1908

Courtesy of Library of Congress, Hine, Lewis Wickes, "Sadie Pfeifer, 48 inches high, has worked half a year...," 30 November 1908

Description

Sadie Pfeifer, just four feet tall, worked half a year. She was one of the many small children at work in Lancaster Cotton Mills tending to a row of spinning machines. Spinning machines are set up in long rows that a spinner would walk along and piece together broken ends. Sadie would walk up and down the aisles, brushing lint from machines and watching the spools or bobbins for breaks.

Source-Dependent Questions

Look closely at this photo. What do you notice about the girl in the foreground, Sadie? What do you notice about the factory?
Sadie would walk up and down the aisles, brushing lint from machines and watching the spools or bobbins for breaks. Why would a young person be a good fit for this job?
How did the Industrial Revolution make it possible for young children, like Sadie, to work? Is that fair? Why or why not?

Citation Information

Hine, Lewis Wickes, "Sadie Pfeifer, 48 inches high, has worked half a year. One of the many small children at work in Lancaster Cotton Mills. Nov. 30, 1908. Location: Lancaster, South Carolina. / L.W. [Hine]," 30 November 1908. Courtesy of Library of Congress