Photo of manual typewriter used on first employment l946. This has a raised keyboard, which I still prefer today. Much easier to type on then the flat keyboards we use today. Movable carriage, reaching up to change lines to move, very hard touch, changing inked ribbons or turning them over, using eraser for mistakes. Usually two legible copies were possible with carbon paper.
Mimeograph machines were used for copying, horrible to work with, messy and foul odor. Typed copies needed to be perfect with the sheets used. If mistakes happened there was a liquid in an attempt to correct it. Not always possible because the mimeograph sheets were extremely thin to allow the inked letters to go through on the finished copy.
Cylinder discs were used for dictation, it looked similar to a black record, cylinder in shape and then slip it onto a machine. Plug earphones into the machine and on your head, then push the pedal with your foot to run forward and backward. Shorthand were used for transcribing verbal dictation. Not all gentlemen preferring verbal dictation, (I did, took less time) the mornings would be devoted to that, the afternoons transcription of shorthand notes were usually expected to be completed and ready for his signature before the work day ended. This is an example of shorthand notes - "(" by, or be. No doubt is not used anymore.
The loud noise from these typewriters, which required a heavy touch, was oftentimes disturbing to the boss. With good reason, because even with his office door closed you could hear the typing several doors down even in other offices.
Should you work in an office with several typists or stenos, you were placed in a large room. A supervisor would watch your every move, to observe whether you were working. If idle, the supervisor inquired why and a good reason was required. Permission was requested in using the rest room; however, those trips were expected before and after work. Do not recall if we had coffee breaks, probably not. We worked eight hours. A half hour for lunch, as well as dress codes, no bare arms, no toeless shoes, and of course no low cut dresses, horrors.
We used many paper weights then, because fans were used and the windows were open during work hours during the summer. Papers would also stick to your arms also sometimes from the heat.
We could smoke though, everyone was provided with an ash tray who required it. Most everyone did those days. I still do.
See what you missed current office workers! ha ha.
Interesting historical piece ~ 1943 Guide to Hiring Women
The following is an excerpt from the July 1943 issue of Transportation
Magazine. This was serious and written for male supervisors of women in the
work force during World War II - a mere 58years ago!
Obviously, the intent was not to be "funny," but by today's standards,
this is hilarious (if not horrendous).
Eleven Tips on Getting More Efficiency Out of Women Employees:
There's no longer any question whether transit companies should hire women
for jobs formerly held by men. The draft and manpower shortage has settled
that point. The important things now are to select the most efficient women
available and how to use them to the best advantage. Here are eleven
helpful tips on the subject from Western Properties:
1. Pick young married women. They usually have more of a sense of
responsibility than their unmarried sisters, they're less likely to be
flirtatious, they need the work or they wouldn't be doing it, they still
have the pep and interest to work hard and to deal with the public
efficiently.
2. When you have to use older women, try to get ones who have worked
outside the home at some time in their lives. Older women who have never
contacted the public have a hard time adapting themselves and are inclined
to be cantankerous and fussy. It's always well to impress upon older women
the importance of friendliness and courtesy.
3. General experience indicates that "husky" girls - those who are just a
little on the heavy side - are more even tempered and efficient than their
underweight sisters.
4. Retain a physician to give each woman you hire a special physical
examination - one covering female conditions. This step not only protects
the property against the possibilities of lawsuit, but reveals whether the
employee-to-be has any female weaknesses which would make her mentally or
physically unfit for the job.
5. Stress at the outset the importance of time; the fact that a minute or
two lost here and there makes serious inroads on schedules. Until this point
is gotten across, service is likely to be slowed up.
6. Give the female employee a definite day-long schedule of duties so that
they'll keep busy without bothering the management for instructions every
few minutes. Numerous properties say that women make excellent workers
when they have their jobs cut out for them, but that they lack initiative in
finding work themselves.
7. Whenever possible, let the inside employee change from one job to
another at some time during the day. Women are inclined to be less
nervous and happier with change.
8. Give every girl an adequate number of rest periods during the day. You
have to make some allowances for feminine psychology. A girl has more
confidence and is more efficient if she can keep her hair tidied, apply
fresh lipstick and wash her hands several times a day.
9. Be tactful when issuing instructions or in making criticisms. Women are
often sensitive; they can't shrug off harsh words the way men do. Never
ridicule a woman - it breaks her spirit and cuts off her efficiency.
10. Be reasonably considerate about using strong language around women.
Even though a girl's husband or father may swear vociferously, she'll grow
to dislike a place of business where she hears too much of this.
11. Get enough size variety in operators' uniforms so that each girl can
have a proper fit. This point can't be stressed too much in keeping women
happy.
