On 21 July we took the metro to Croix-Rousse, the historical silk district of Lyon. We took a tour of Maison des Canuts, where we learned about the how silk worms are used in silk making as well as the actual making of brocade cloth using a Jacquard loom. Historically, the silk worm eggs were purchased in large amounts, and tedious labor was required to sort out the empty eggs which could not be used. Labor was also required to incubate the eggs to 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, or human body temperature. In order to protect the eggs, women would keep them close to their bodies until they were ready to hatch. After the cocoon stage was reached, more work was needed for the raw silk strands to be extracted, wound together, and washed to remove the adhesive substance that is secreted by the silk worms. After this entire process, the silk was made into extravagant cloths that were to be sold at very high prices. From a historical standpoint, it was interesting yet unfortunate to learn that the individuals who worked in the silk factories, whether processing the raw silk or making the cloth, lived under very distressing conditions. These people worked for 18 hours a day, 6 days a week, and were paid very little money for all the hard labor that they performed.
Although the people who were buying the silk products were usually very wealthy, the individuals making their exquisite products had very little wealth. I think a connection can be made to modern-day society regarding the lack of knowledge about the true origin of our clothes, as well as the disparity of conditions between the consumers and the producers.
I agree, Emily. The working conditions were horrible. 18 hour days, not getting paid until the fabric is done, even then not getting a fair price. We should remember this and apply it to fixing the similar problems in today's society.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was really interesting how much the mechanization of weaving increased the rate they could make the fabric. First with the new looms that used the punch cards allow one person to operate the loom, then with the use of electricity the looms could be somewhat automated allow people to operate several looms. I find it fascinating how we as people will use our engineering skills to optimize a process to take a job that required 2 people a year to something a single person a few months.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was really interesting how much the mechanization of weaving increased the rate they could make the fabric. First with the new looms that used the punch cards allow one person to operate the loom, then with the use of electricity the looms could be somewhat automated allow people to operate several looms. I find it fascinating how we as people will use our engineering skills to optimize a process to take a job that required 2 people a year to something a single person a few months.
ReplyDelete