This one photo sure says a lot about the US war effort.
Automobile factories were turned into ones making war machines. The most current technology was used. Women, the "Rosie the Riveters" left home to take the places of the men who were fighting the war.
However, men who remained at home were often the managers and foremen on the assembly lines.
Housing had to be provided for workers. Of course, this was the beginning of large-scale child care operations.
The term "Negro" wouldn't be used today, but was the common one back then. I couldn't help but think the caption was very flattering to Marietta Morgan, though. It was like she wasn't smart enough to figure out the operation by herself, only if a white man showed her.
Blacks also entered the work force at the factories in large numbers as well. No doubt they faced racism and segregation. I wonder if they received the same pay as white women (and wonder if white women were paid the same as white men). I doubt seriously that Ms. Morgan would have been able to buy a home in the nearby subdivision built for the workers.
One reader commented on the machine which was a "Hi-Pot" High Potential. Its purpose was to expose the potential to high voltage and low currents to see at what level it would break down.
There were some interesting comments on the racial aspect of the photo.
Well Worth a Look. --DaCoot
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