Workforce Collection

Labour Union Poster - Great London Dock Strike
Labour Union Poster Commemorating the Great London Dock Strike of 1889. This industrial dispute involving dock workers in the Port of London broke out on 14 August 1889

A Stone Quarry, 1833 (colour litho)
STC169232 A Stone Quarry, 1833 (colour litho) by Kretzschmer, H. (fl.1883) (after); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; German, out of copyright

Ships on their way to lay the China telegraph cable to connect Java, Singapore, Penang and Madras, 1870
3478999 Ships on their way to lay the China telegraph cable to connect Java, Singapore, Penang and Madras, 1870; (add.info.: Ships on their way to lay the China telegraph cable to connect Java)

Landing the shore end of the Alexandria Malta submarine telegraph cable at Alexandria, 1868
3479553 Landing the shore end of the Alexandria Malta submarine telegraph cable at Alexandria, 1868; (add.info.: Landing the shore end of the Alexandria Malta submarine telegraph cable at Alexandria)

Laying the submarine telegraph cable in the Persian gulf, 1870
3479551 Laying the submarine telegraph cable in the Persian gulf, 1870; (add.info.: Laying the submarine telegraph cable in the Persian gulf, 1870.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The Scauderia laying the submarine telegraph cable between Malta and Alexandria, 1868
3479552 The Scauderia laying the submarine telegraph cable between Malta and Alexandria, 1868; (add.info.: The Scauderia laying the submarine telegraph cable between Malta and Alexandria)

Laying down the Mediterranean telegraph cable at Spezzia, 1854
3479550 Laying down the Mediterranean telegraph cable at Spezzia, 1854; (add.info.: Laying down the Mediterranean telegraph cable at Spezia, Italy, 1854.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The Depot of the Mekban Telegraph Department at Gwader, 1863
3478998 The Depot of the Mekban Telegraph Department at Gwader, 1863; (add.info.: The Depot of the Mekban Telegraph Department at Gwader.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The Kirkham and the Assaye taking on cable at Woolwich for the Indian telegraph, 1863
3478997 The Kirkham and the Assaye taking on cable at Woolwich for the Indian telegraph, 1863; (add.info.: The Kirkham and the Assaye taking on cable at Woolwich for the Indian telegraph)

Rubber Plantation - Malaysia - Overseer and Coolies. Date: circa 1910s

Chism Ice Cream Factory, Reno, Nevada, USA
Chism Ice Cream Factory, West Street, Reno, Nevada, USA -- workforce with truck at loading platform. Date: circa 1910s

A section of the Hayes Engineering plant at Speke, south Liverpool, now working to capacity, turning out agricultural machinery

Site canteen JLP01_08_083797a
HEATHROW AIRPORT, B E A SERVICING HANGAR, HEATHROW, HILLINGDON, GREATER LONDON. Laing workmen playing a card game at a table in the site canteen during the construction of the BEA aircraft servicing

Site canteen JLP01_08_083796
HEATHROW AIRPORT, B E A SERVICING HANGAR, HEATHROW, HILLINGDON, GREATER LONDON. Three Laing workmen sitting at a table after a meal in the site canteen during the construction of the BEA aircraft

Site canteen JLP01_08_083794
HEATHROW AIRPORT, B E A SERVICING HANGAR, HEATHROW, HILLINGDON, GREATER LONDON. Laing workmen talking at a table in the site canteen during the construction of the BEA aircraft servicing hangar at

Two Children in the Mines 1854
Two young colliers helpers pulling a cart full of heavy coal upwards in the dark mines. Date: 1854

W. H. Smith and son's despatching newpapers 1900
Early morning despatching newpapers for W. H. Smith. Date: 1900

Wandering thoughts
Mats Carduner

Workforce Ridden By Ryan Moore Dante Festival, York Racecourse York Racecourse, York, England 13 May 2010 Date: 13 May 2010

Cape Blanco Ridden By Johnny Murtagh Wins Ahead Of Workforce In The Totesport Dante Stakes Dante Festival, York Racecourse York Racecourse, York, England 13 May 2010 DANTE FESTIVAL

I can make myself useful somehow (engraving)
3626101 I can make myself useful somehow (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: I can make myself useful somehow. Illustration for Chatterbox (1869)

Unidentified English engineering works, early 20th century (b / w photo)
3656155 Unidentified English engineering works, early 20th century (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Unidentified English engineering works)

With the distressed hop pickers in Kent - a series of drawings by ILN Special Artist Mr H. C. Seppings Wright showing the poor conditions for hop pickers in Kent during bad wet weather

Chinese workers helping construct the Central Pacific Railroad
PNP246754 Chinese workers helping construct the Central Pacific Railroad, completed 1869 (colour litho) by American School

Valentine makers at work 1880
The process of making Valentines cards which were popularlised in the Victorian period, largely due to advances in industrial printing which made them affordable

Ms Fr 2820 fol. 115v Charlemagne (742-814) Directing the Construction of Aix-la-Chapelle
EDI193075 Ms Fr 2820 fol.115v Charlemagne (742-814) Directing the Construction of Aix-la-Chapelle, from Recueil Sommaire des Chroniques Francaises by Guillaume Cretin (1460-1525) (vellum)

Scenes of cigarette production, 1887 (litho)
SLS251311 Scenes of cigarette production, 1887 (litho) by Durkin, John (fl.1887); Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University; eSchlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute

Two styles of kissing (colour litho)
3643469 Two styles of kissing (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Two styles of kissing. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Patriotic poster, Buy British - Watch Unemployment dwindle
Buy British and watch unemployment dwindle. Part of a government campaign to tackle a balance of payments crisis, reinforced by a speech by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII)

Unidentified English engineering works, early 20th century (b / w photo)
3656156 Unidentified English engineering works, early 20th century (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Unidentified English engineering works)

Chinese immigrants or Coolies arriving in San Francisco to work
PNP246763 Chinese immigrants or Coolies arriving in San Francisco to work on the transcontintental railroad during the 1860s (litho) by American School

Chinese labourers working on a trestle bridge on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada
PNP246760 Chinese labourers working on a trestle bridge on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains, 1867 (b/w photo) by American Photographer

Cover design for The Ironmonger, 1911 (colour litho)
3638231 Cover design for The Ironmonger, 1911 (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Cover design for The Ironmonger)

Cigarette Manufacturing, 1883 (engraving)
SLS251307 Cigarette Manufacturing, 1883 (engraving) by Upham, C. (fl.1883); Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University; eSchlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard; American

Men and women leaving the mill after work, carrying lunch-pails, 1868 (engraving)
SLS251301 Men and women leaving the mill after work, carrying lunch-pails, 1868 (engraving) by American School, (19th century); Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute

Soldier trainees work on "Flying Patch, "a Currtiss "Warhawk"
5895273 Soldier trainees work on " Flying Patch, " a Currtiss " Warhawk" fighter plane without engine or tail assembly, with simulated bullet holes and patches

Unidentified English engineering works, early 20th century (b / w photo)
3656152 Unidentified English engineering works, early 20th century (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Unidentified English engineering works)

Women making corsets, 1884 (engraving)
SLS251304 Women making corsets, 1884 (engraving) by American School, (19th century); Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University; eSchlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute

The American Waltham Watch Company, Massachusetts, 1885 (engraving) (see also 251194)
SLS251300 The American Waltham Watch Company, Massachusetts, 1885 (engraving) (see also 251194) by American School, (19th century); Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute

Unidentified English engineering works, early 20th century (b / w photo)
3656153 Unidentified English engineering works, early 20th century (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Unidentified English engineering works)

Women of Leningrads fire fighting service keep watch over their city during the Second World War. January 1943

Mr T. M. Watson, Chief Constable of Wallsall (wearing mac), leading his men in to the gas van during the Gas Drills at Walsall Fire station in preparation for a real attack. 29th October 1936

Additional filters for civilian respirators to increase their efficiency against smoke gases are now being fitted.Here is an Air Raid Precaution warden (ARP)

District Officer Coleman explaining the air raid precautions to the members of the Aston Hippodrome Company during their visit to the Central Fire Station in Birmingham

Picture shows the staff at fabric makers, Richardson, Tee, Rycroft and Co, in Portland Street, Manchester, as they prepare for the coronation of George VI

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The history of the workforce is a tapestry woven with stories of struggle, resilience, and progress. From the Labour Union Poster depicting the Great London Dock Strike to the image of Soldiers without guns in 1944, these snapshots remind us of the power that lies within collective action. In 1833, a Stone Quarry came alive with vibrant colors in a lithograph capturing the toil and sweat of workers. Fast forward to 1854, Two Children in the Mines serve as haunting reminders of an era when child labor was prevalent and exploitation ran rampant. The year 1900 brings us W. H. Smith and son's dispatching newspapers - a testament to how technology revolutionized work processes. Meanwhile, on a Rubber Plantation in Malaysia, an Overseer stands alongside Coolies who tirelessly harvest rubber under harsh conditions. Site canteens become meeting places where workers gather for sustenance and camaraderie - JLP01_08_083797a, JLP01_08_083796, JLP01_08_083794 capture moments filled with laughter amidst hard work. A section of Hayes Engineering plant at Speke showcases industrial might while also reminding us that behind every machine are individuals whose thoughts may wander from time to time. Lastly, we glimpse into the life of a bleaching-powder packer through a black-and-white photograph showcasing their unique costume - highlighting diversity even within specific job roles. These images encapsulate different facets history – from battles fought for fair treatment to technological advancements shaping industries. They serve as poignant reminders that our present-day workplaces stand on foundations built by generations before us.