<p>After much anticipation we release today our latest Footnotes main series episode: Number 35, on the Bryant and May matchgirls strike of 1888.</p> <p>As always - if you want the backdrop as well as knowing exactly when an episode is coming out and the ability to ask us email questions, join the subscriber list on the homepage: <a href="footnotesofhistory.com">footnotesofhistory.com</a></p> <p>As you would expect from this kind of episode, we entangle ourselves in centuries of highly politicised labour history, slightly questionable economics and – surprisingly – a number of insights which we really think ought to be better known, one of which includes the historian’s number one mistake: grafting modern views onto the past.</p> <p>So what does a matchgirl want? Well they’re striking for a reason and you’ve got to listen in to find out. The episode will include:</p> <p>· A profile of the idealistic Fabian-socialist writer who exposed conditions at the factory and why she – counterintuitively - didn’t want industrial action!</p> <p>· The White Terror: the deadly chemical in matches and what they could do to someone’s face if the fumes were inhaled!</p> <p>· Tim’s bigger-picture take on how match factory conditions may not have been as bad as we think - especially when compared to other East-End London jobs at the time!</p> <p>· Bryant and May’s early match factories and why they turned to the dark side - and more dangerous products!</p> <p>· A live, historic example of the Streisand Effect!</p> <p>· Dan makes the case against the “uneducated” defenceless young women argument!</p> <p>· How Big Matches churned through workers despite penury-level wages, a vicious discipline system and potentially lethal long term conditions (Hint: Irish immigration)!</p> <p>As always, thanks for listening (and some apologies from Dan for his croaky voice) and if you get the chance, go to our page on apple podcasts to leave us a review.</p> <p>This’ll help us get the word out about Footnotes of History and we can record more and more regular episodes!</p>

Footnotes of History

Dan Nesbitt / Tim Philpott

35 - What a Match-Girl Wants: The 1888 Match Workers Strike

DEC 9, 201971 MIN
Footnotes of History

35 - What a Match-Girl Wants: The 1888 Match Workers Strike

DEC 9, 201971 MIN

Description

<p>After much anticipation we release today our latest Footnotes main series episode: Number 35, on the Bryant and May matchgirls strike of 1888.</p> <p>As always - if you want the backdrop as well as knowing exactly when an episode is coming out and the ability to ask us email questions, join the subscriber list on the homepage: <a href="footnotesofhistory.com">footnotesofhistory.com</a></p> <p>As you would expect from this kind of episode, we entangle ourselves in centuries of highly politicised labour history, slightly questionable economics and – surprisingly – a number of insights which we really think ought to be better known, one of which includes the historian’s number one mistake: grafting modern views onto the past.</p> <p>So what does a matchgirl want? Well they’re striking for a reason and you’ve got to listen in to find out. The episode will include:</p> <p>· A profile of the idealistic Fabian-socialist writer who exposed conditions at the factory and why she – counterintuitively - didn’t want industrial action!</p> <p>· The White Terror: the deadly chemical in matches and what they could do to someone’s face if the fumes were inhaled!</p> <p>· Tim’s bigger-picture take on how match factory conditions may not have been as bad as we think - especially when compared to other East-End London jobs at the time!</p> <p>· Bryant and May’s early match factories and why they turned to the dark side - and more dangerous products!</p> <p>· A live, historic example of the Streisand Effect!</p> <p>· Dan makes the case against the “uneducated” defenceless young women argument!</p> <p>· How Big Matches churned through workers despite penury-level wages, a vicious discipline system and potentially lethal long term conditions (Hint: Irish immigration)!</p> <p>As always, thanks for listening (and some apologies from Dan for his croaky voice) and if you get the chance, go to our page on apple podcasts to leave us a review.</p> <p>This’ll help us get the word out about Footnotes of History and we can record more and more regular episodes!</p>