1-148-707 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

Machine Room in a Steam Sewing Factory, 1854. This view is of Holloway, Crowe & Holloway's clothing factory, Stroud, Gloucestershire, England. Twenty sewing machines were installed, powered by steam through belt and shafting under the workbench. The female operatives controlled the machines by means of individual foot levers. Holloways, one of the principal employers in Stroud, introduced division of labour in their factory and one pair of trousers passed through 16 pairs of hands, each operative carrying out a specific task. From The Illustrated London News. (London, 16 December 1854).