 |
 |
Telegraph operator
Developed in the 1840s by Samuel Morse and other inventors, the telegraph revolutionised the way we communicate.
|
 |
Rat catcher
Of course, rodents haven't gone extinct but before the days of pesticides, rat catching was a more common occupation. In the crowded urban environments of the 19th century, the pests thrived.
|
 |
Switchboard operator
Long before the days of mobile phones and VOIP, we relied on switchboard operators to communicate.
|
 |
Milkman
The Telegraph reports that as recently as 1980, 89% of all milk consumed by British households arrived in a glass bottle on the doorstep.
|
 |
Lift operator
With the advent of automatic lifts, the job has largely died out, though some lift operators continue in symbolic roles in high-end buildings.
|
 |
Town crier
In the days before widespread literacy and access to printed news, town criers were responsible for making public announcements of news and information as required by the courts.
|
 |
Lamplighter
Lamplighters were employed to light and maintain candle and, later, gas street lights.
|
 |
Blacksmith
War, growing populations, and developments in technology all increased the demand for capable blacksmiths.
|
 |
Knocker-upper
The job was common in industrial areas like Manchester, where mill workers and miners lived in factory houses.
|
 |
Chimney sweep
During the Industrial Revolution most buildings had at least one chimney, making chimney sweep a common occupation.
|
