Vintage work crew photos

[stillldoinit]

Appears to be a lineshaft under floor, look at the cone pulleys on the bottom of the machine to the right.

[stillldoinit]

Looking closer there is a conduit going up, could have been converted to electric motor unless the wire is for lighting.

[Ralphxyz]

yeah probable electric, I was wondering about how the spindle was powered, looks like a drive shaft running left to right behind the operators head.

Ralph

[Toolmaker51]

Appears to be a lineshaft under floor, look at the cone pulleys on the bottom of the machine to the right.

(and) Looking closer there is a conduit going up, could have been converted to electric motor unless the wire is for lighting.[/QUOTE]

Likely both are true. Certain the machine to right is a planer, a lineshaft driven table very possible. Conduit powering a milling spindle could be later additions. Also notice photo subject radial drill isn't quite a 'radial'. Instead of a ground circular column it's more like a cast post with a hinge, not anything rigid like a normal radial. Even the gearing and spindle/ quill kind of lightweight. I believe this machine is suited for smaller holes on wide parts; too big for a table type drill press. Similar to a 'jackknife' drill, very nimble positioning to pick up center-punched layout marks.

[Toolmaker51]

My old building [1890's] was a grain mill; just one big enclosed area, loading dock high, and 16' ceiling. West side of property is concrete pad and footprint of 3, 20 foot silos. Underneath is a machinery room; inside the floor has covered trenches; grain augers and lineshaft(s) to run equipment. I've been in a few line-driven buildings. The overhead variety, all exhibits and museums. Underfloor examples were equally prevalent.

There was until recently the mill Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix was made in, when Rutt-Underwood sold to Davis who went nation-wide. Theirs worked both ways; ground floor overhead, second floor underneath, and so on. The grain lift, steel scoops on a vertical conveyor belt, went up about 6 stories. Perfected recipe in their home kitchen, outgrown quickly. My building might have been phase two, before the big plant. Can't find evidence, just old-timers and hearsay. It was leased to Pillsbury for a time as well, they milled in competition with Davis and Quaker Oats. . .All I've found is business addresses, some with 2 and 3 digit phone numbers, lol; but not the facilities.
Yep. Right there in St. Joseph, MO. Walter Cronkite, Jane Wyman, Pony Express, Jesse Jame Home, St. Joseph's Aspirin, Patee Museum, Lewis & Clark, Cherry Mash, brass firemen's pole and quick horse team harness, how about saltine [soda] crackers? Only instrumental in the migration westward, into households world wide.
Far too many more unique aspects and originals to mention.
https://stjomo.com/escape/

[Jon]

Breaker boys. 1911.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...w_fullsize.jpg

[Toolmaker51]

Another sigh. Mostly adults, maybe a couple teens. But he, right front in the elevator car couldn't be 12 IMHO.

[ranald]

The large pointed pailing gate, when closed was to make them think they were in a castle in a far-off place. Doubt they had reveries like that in there.

the chap on the left just cant wait to do the next shift!

[Jon]

Vivian Cotton Mills. 1908.

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...w_fullsize.jpg

[Frank S]

Back then everybody worked from the young boys and girls to the eldest grandmother the grandpas usually died young from working themselves to death