Reel, cotton reel

Whitechapel and Spitalfields were notorious for their sweating 'dens'. Crammed into every available space, far from the gaze of factory inspectors, 12 people might share a small room with no natural light.

A team of workers would make a single garment; each person carrying out a simple task like sewing button holes or pressing cloth. Cutters and pressers used heavy equipment like shears and irons for 18 hours a day, and meals were often eaten at workbenches.

Whitechapel and Spitalfields were notorious for their sweating 'dens'. Crammed into every available space, far from the gaze of factory inspectors, 12 people might share a small room with no natural light.

A team of workers would make a single garment; each person carrying out a simple task like sewing button holes or pressing cloth. Cutters and pressers used heavy equipment like shears and irons for 18 hours a day, and meals were often eaten at workbenches.

Whitechapel and Spitalfields were notorious for their sweating 'dens'. Crammed into every available space, far from the gaze of factory inspectors, 12 people might share a small room with no natural light.

A team of workers would make a single garment; each person carrying out a simple task like sewing button holes or pressing cloth. Cutters and pressers used heavy equipment like shears and irons for 18 hours a day, and meals were often eaten at workbenches.