When alarm clocks were unreliable and expensive, a knocker-upper was a person whose primary job it was to wake people up. In the 1930s, Mary Smith in this image earned six pence a week by shooting dry peas out of a pea shooter at the windows of employees that weren’t waking.
124
1K
9K
Replies
@HistoryInPics
That’s interesting. I guess the pea was the easiest crop to use. Small, hard, and circular, almost like a pebble just a little less density but gains the momentum needed. Now the term knocker upper has a quite bit different meaning. ⏰
0
0
1
@HistoryInPics
@JACKonline700
Gosh I’m so glad I re read that last sentence! It says waking ! Phew I had visions for a moment!
0
0
0
@HistoryInPics
Die hadden we in Amsterdam ook nog vroeger. Ik praat over begin 50. Porders, die kwamen je op een afgesproken tijd "wakker porren". Te laat op je werk komen was een doodzonde.
1
0
2
@HistoryInPics
You then have to wonder if there was a knocker-upper for the knocker-uppers ? 🤪
0
0
4
