Knocker-upper (Weird Jobs in History)

Summary

Before alarm clocks were widespread, workers relied on 'knocker uppers'—human alarm clocks who would wake them up by tapping on bedroom windows, sometimes as early as 3 a.m. Using long poles or pea shooters, these workers ensured punctuality for those employed in strict industrial settings. The role emerged during the Industrial Revolution when factory workers faced fines for tardiness. Despite the invention of alarm clocks, this job continued into the 20th century. The knocker-upper highlights how industrialization influenced timekeeping and the necessity for workers to be on time.

Takeaways

• 😀 Before alarm clocks were widely available, people relied on knocker uppers to wake them up.
• 😀 Knocker uppers used long poles with knobs or wires to tap on workers' bedroom windows, waking them up.
• 😀 The role of a knocker upper was essential in the 19th century due to industrialization and strict timekeeping in factories and mills.
• 😀 Workers who were late could face fines or even be locked out of work, making punctuality crucial.
• 😀 The job of the knocker upper was often performed by elderly men and women during the Industrial Revolution.
• 😀 Some knocker uppers also used pea shooters to shoot peas at windows to wake up workers.
• 😀 Knocker uppers also sometimes extinguished gas lamps using their poles.
• 😀 The knocker upper job was paid a few pence per week by the workers who required their service.
• 😀 If clients didn't pay, the knocker upper wouldn't wake them up, causing them to miss their shifts.
• 😀 The knocker upper role lasted into the 20th century, with some continuing as late as the 1970s, but it eventually became obsolete with the advent of alarm clocks.

Q & A

What was the role of a knocker upper?

A knocker upper was a human alarm clock who would wake workers by knocking on their bedroom windows using a long pole, often with a piece of wire or a small knob at the end. This was necessary before alarm clocks became widely available.

Why were knocker uppers needed during the 19th century?

Knocker uppers were needed due to the demands of industrialization, where workers were required to adhere to strict time schedules in factories or mills, and could face fines or even dismissal if they were late.

What tool did knocker uppers use to wake people up?

Knocker uppers typically used a long pole, often made of bamboo, with a wire or knob at the end to tap on bedroom windows. They could also use a pea shooter to shoot peas at the windows.

How did the knocker upper's job differ from simply knocking on a door?

Knocker uppers tapped on bedroom windows instead of doors to avoid waking everyone in the household. This allowed them to target the worker who needed to wake up without disturbing the entire household.

What kind of people typically worked as knocker uppers?

The role of knocker upper was mostly carried out by elderly men and women, particularly during the Industrial Revolution.

Why did clients hire knocker uppers?

Clients hired knocker uppers to ensure they woke up on time for their shifts, as being late could result in fines, loss of wages, or even dismissal from work.

How much did a knocker upper typically charge for their services?

A knocker upper typically charged their clients a few pence per week for their services.

How long did the job of knocker upper last?

The job of the knocker upper lasted well into the 20th century and continued in some areas as late as the 1970s, but it eventually became obsolete with the invention of the alarm clock.

What was the impact of industrialization on timekeeping?

Industrialization led to more rigorous timekeeping, where factories and mills required workers to follow strict schedules. This created a demand for knocker uppers to ensure punctuality and adherence to time.

What led to the decline of the knocker upper profession?

The invention of the alarm clock led to the decline of the knocker upper profession, as people could wake themselves up without needing a human alarm clock.