photographs by Lewis Hine CHILD LABOR photographs by Lewis Hine from the early 1900s

10 yr. old picking berries and watching babies- missed 4 weeks of new school year Oct. 1910

Ten small boys and girls working in a group of 40 employees Ten small boys and girls working in a group of 40 employees at a cotton mill in North Carolina Dec.1908December 2

Manuel, 5 yr. old shrimp picker, stands by a mountain of oyster shells all shucked by children. He worked last year. Understands no English. Biloxi, Miss. February 1911

7 and 12 yr. old children get 2-3 cents per pair for sewing pants

The Leveroni family earns 4 cents per 12 dozen for making silk flowers The Leveroni family earns 4 cents per 12 dozen for making silk flowers. They can make 80 cents a day when children all work. The children are 6, 7, 9 &10 and work on Saturdays, on afternoons after 3 o'clock, and evenings until 8 or 9. New York January,1908

Three young basket sellers in a Cincinnati market at 10 p.m. Aug.1908

Young workers in a cigar factory 1908

Young workers at the Indiana Glassworks Midnight July 1908

Postal telegraph messengers- no age requirement. 1908

Young messenger boy. Midnight. May,1908

10 yr. old working double circular saws 1908

Girls running warping machines in a textile mill Girls running warping machines in a textile mill. “Many boys and girls were much younger. When I tried to get a photo which would include a very tiny boy working at a machine, he was quickly moved out of range. The boss said, ‘He isn't working here, just came in to help a little.’ ” Gastonia, N.C. Nov.1908

Radishes sold for a penny a bunch. Young child worked until midnight Radishes sold for a penny a bunch. Young child worked until midnight. Sept.1908.

Shoe shine boy works until 11pm each night. Nov.1908.

Girls at weaving machines. 1908.

Night shift at the mill. 1908.

“One of the spinners in the Cotton Mill “One of the spinners in the Cotton Mill. She has been in the mill one year and often works at night. She works for 48 cents a day. When asked how old she was, she hesitated, then said, ‘I'm not old enough to work, but do just the same.’ Out of 50 employees, ten children were about her size.” Whitnel, N.Carolina December 1908

Many youngsters worked in the mills Many youngsters worked in the mills. Some boys and girls were so small they had to climb up on to the spinning frame to mend broken threads and to put back the empty bobbins. January 1909

“This boy was 12 years old, can't read, & says, ‘Yes I want to learn but can't when I work all the time.’ He has been in the mills 4 years.” Columbia, S.Carolina January, 1909

Paper carriers were 8 & 9 yrs. old. Hartford, Conn. March, 1909

Bowling Alley boys. Many of these work until late at night Bowling Alley boys. Many of these work until late at night. New Haven, Conn., March, 1909

9 year old newsboy has been selling 1 1/2 years. Hartford, Conn. , 9 year old newsboy has been selling 1 1/2 years. Hartford, Conn., March 1909

Getting working papers. 1913

Lewis Hine’s photographs of poor working conditions led to the enforcement of stricter child labor laws