German & Austrian Hutmachers

[Fastuni]

Thanks guys!

I think the Austrian one has some Tyrolean influence.

This type of creasing was also to be found in Spain, as this photo from Gran Canaria ca. 1939 suggests:



(Click to enlarge)

Source: http://www.deutschefotothek.de/documents/obj/89000254

 

[mayserwegener]

Yes very similar. Also a great photo!

 

[mikespens]

Beautiful Rex Fastuni, great color.

 

[mayserwegener]

Drying Apparatus, Mayser (1925)​

The Attached Thumbnail will allow you to expand the photo.

 

[1mach1]

Very cool, Steve!

 

[ManofKent]

Great photos Steve.

 

[mayserwegener]

Harv, Thanks!

Richard, Thanks! Great to see you back!

 

[mayserwegener]

Partial View of the Brim Curling and Binding Department, Mayser (1925)​

Working on what would be called Homburg style brims in America.

The Attached Thumbnail will allow you to expand the photo.

 

[1mach1]

Wow! That's pretty cool. I love the large factory windows back in the day. Way better than today's artificial lighting.

 

[TheDane]

Wow! That's pretty cool. I love the large factory windows back in the day. Way better than today's artificial lighting.

At least at the time, the picture was taken, Harv. During German Winters, the room was probably pretty poorly lit - most of the day. I also bet, the room was ice-cold. Very large single-layer windows in iron frames probably sucked every free-flying calorie out of the room. But during Summer, I'm sure it was a really nice work environment ... not least in comparison to the standard of the day

 

[mayserwegener]

I am pretty sure the heating system was adequate by this time period (1925). I would think a hot summer day would be more problematic (especially where the processes generated high temperatures). They had artificial (electric) light sources (see photos) but they would only be as good as what was available at the time.

 

[TheDane]

Steve, during "the zeros" it was very trendy for IT-companies to establish offices in old, rustic factory buildings like that. In 2000 and 2001 I worked for a Swedish owned web-company, called Framfab. We worked below such windows in a former assembly plant for General Motors. You're absolutely right - it was very hot on very hot Summer days (fortunately pretty rare around here). It was very unpleasant during Winter, where most of us dressed in heavy jackets - and we had to put up a lot of heat-blowers. The pretty modern heating system was not at all adequate for our sort of work, and I don't think brim-work was significantly more physical.

I absolutely agree, that the pics, you've shown lately, clearly show surprisingly good working conditions on early 20th Century German hat plants. Probably a lot better that American workers experienced during the same periode. Not least, when we're talking ventilation, fume- and dust-control. However, this elderly and still-sitting "code-slave" gets the chills, seeing windows like that - but I'm from a lot more spoiled generation, than the workers in the pics

 

[mayserwegener]

Steve, during "the zeros" it was very trendy for IT-companies to establish offices in old, rustic factory buildings like that. In 2000 and 2001 I worked for a Swedish owned web-company, called Framfab. We worked below such windows in a former assembly plant for General Motors. You're absolutely right - it was very hot on very hot Summer days (fortunately pretty rare around here). It was very unpleasant during Winter, where most of us dressed in heavy jackets - and we had to put up a lot of heat-blowers. The pretty modern heating system was not at all adequate for our sort of work, and I don't think brim-work was significantly more physical.

I absolutely agree, that the pics, you've shown lately, clearly show surprisingly good working conditions on early 20th Century German hat plants. Probably a lot better that American workers experienced during the same periode. Not least, when we're talking ventilation, fume- and dust-control. However, this elderly and still-sitting "code-slave" gets the chills, seeing windows like that - but I'm from a lot more spoiled generation, than the workers in the pics

I am sure they were more accustom to working under less than ideal temperature conditions. For heat they could have taped off their coal boiler system. I will post photos later.

 

[TheDane]

I'm absolutely sure, you're right, Steve. Looking forward to more of those pictures. They are fantastic documents :eusa_clap

 

[mayserwegener]

Boiler House, Mayser (1925)​

Reserve Power Generating Plant, Mayser (1925)​

 

[1mach1]

Now, THAT is a sexy piece of machinery!

 

[DesertDan]

Agreed! Makes my heart all aflutter.

 

[mayserwegener]

Partial View of Fulling Machines, Mayser (1925)​

The Attached Thumbnail will allow you to expand the photo.

 

[mayserwegener]

Partial View of Fulling Machines, Mayser (1925)​

The Attached Thumbnail will allow you to expand the photo.

 

[mayserwegener]

Company Officials and Foreman, More Company Workers (Employed: 50 - 60 Years, 40 - 50 Years, 25 - 40 Years), Mayser (1925)​

More Company Workers (Employed: 50 - 60 Years, 40 - 50 Years, 25 - 40 Years), Mayser (1925)​

It's hard to believe the number of years some of these people worked at the company. If only this knowledge could be tapped into today!

Hutmacher = Hat Maker
Werkführer = Foreman
Färbermeister = Master Dyer
Direktor = Director
Vorsteherin = Manager
Garniererin = Seamstress
Appreteur = Finisher
Haarbläserin = Hair Blower
Lager - Verwalter = Warehouse Manager
Dressierer = Decorator
Contorist = Clerk
Prokurist = Authorised Signatory