Garment workers of 1900 worked in conditions…

.. that were dangerous and unhealthy.  The concept of “factory” was new in the United State, although there were versions well established in other countries.  There was a learning curve yet to come.

Young women left their farms and moved to the cities to work in the garment industry, but found it was not so ideal.  This led to labor laws, unions, and health regulations for industry in the United States.

(Photo: 1900 garment factory worker with her industrial sewing machine.  The early mass production machines were used standing up, and could only punch through heavy layers of leather or wool as in making military uniforms.  By 1900 they were still heavy metal, but they could also do zigzag and work with lighter fabrics or individual fabric pieces).