Cottage Industries

Boy selling matchsticks, about 1910. Image courtesy of Bethnal Green Library. (click image for larger version)

Many people were involved in cottage industries in the 19th century and early 20th centuries. Cottage industries are small businesses run from home. A lot of the cottage industries moved to factories during the industrial revolution. Working at home was a popular way of earning money since the workers were able to decide their own hours and could take the odd day off when the finances were stable. The main drawback was the very low pay.

Matchbox making is an example of a cottage industry that was often carried out by women and children at home in the 19th century. The women would collect the necessary materials from the nearby factory and return later with the completed boxes. This kind of work was very poorly paid, sometimes as little as 6d per gross (144 boxes). Some of the very poorest families survived working like this. Another example was brush making which was a common activity in the East End of London.

A family making brushes at home, between 1890-1900. Image courtesy of Bethnal Green Library. (click image for larger version)