Search the collections
Working Life at Simpson's Gloves Factory
Image: Sign - Travellers Interviewed Between ...
Source: Museum Victoria
Hours worked at Simpson's Gloves were normally 7.45am to 5.15pm, with half an hour for lunch. In the 1930s at peak periods, workers worked a 48 hour week, which was later reduced to 44 hours. There was 10 minutes for morning tea and no afternoon tea.
Workers typically ate their lunch at their work benches, and some would take their lunch into Studley Park via the footbridge across the Yarra. After workers complained, a lunch room was provided in the 1950s, but after a few weeks they reportedly went back to eating at their benches.
Workers provided their own tools of trade, and wore their own aprons, which they took home to wash weekly. Amos Simpson objected to women wearing trousers, so they all were required to wear dresses. This could pose its own challenge. One married office worker later recalled that one of the foremen would chase the young women up the stairs, trying to put his hand up their skirts. She would advise them: 'Well, you know what to do, just kick backwards when you get to the top'.
Apart from a pre-Christmas lunch, which the workers provided, there were no special outings or picnics organised by the managers. Amos Simpson evidently hated spending money on anything that did not result directly in greater production.
There was a social life, inside and outside the factory. The radio would be played at least part of the day through the intercom, and workers would sometimes sing along. In 1935 Hazel Morgan, a young handbag assembler, was selected to represent Simpson's in a charity fundraising competition among local business. She was crowned Queen of Richmond in an event at Richmond Town Hall. Amos Simpson and his wife attended the event, and he announced the award on the intercom the next morning.
Amos Simpson and his partner Henry Atkins typically took off an afternoon every second week during the 1930s to play golf at the Heidelberg Golf Club, where both were members.
Archives:
The University of Melbourne Archives holds business records relating to the company, including ledgers, journals, wages books, time books and catalogues.
References:
Frances, Raelene (1986).'No More Amazons: Gender and Work in the Victorian Clothing Trades, 1880-1939', Labour History, no 50: 95-112.
Interviews with former managers and workers: Arthur Atkins (1989), Ernie Jordan (1989), Nell Marks (1989), Hazel Eddy & Gwen Simons (1990).
Items per page: 10 50 (showing 391 - 400) 400 items
-
Sewing Machine - Singer, 1919
Singer cylinder arm sewing machine, Model No. 17-16, Serial No. G 7474149, made in Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA in 1919. Used at Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, Richmond in the upstairs workro ...
From: New York, United States Images: 1 -
Sewing Machine - Singer, Cylinder Arm, 1916
Singer cylinder arm sewing machine, Model No. 178, Serial No. G 4612106. Made at Singer factory iin Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA in 1916. Used at Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, Richmond in th ...
From: Elizabeth, United States Images: 1 -
Sewing Machine - Singer, Straight Sewer, 1903
Singer straight sticher or double sewer sewing machine, serial number K936552. Made at Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA, 1903. Used at Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, Richmond in the upstairs work ...
From: Elizabeth, United States Images: 1 -
Sewing Machine - Straight Stitcher, Jones, 1920s
Straight stitcher sewing machine, made by Jones, England, Model HS6, Serial No. 20905, 1920s. Used at Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, Richmond in the upstairs workroom. Simpson's Gloves Pty ...
From: Richmond, Australia Images: 1 -
Sewing Machine - Straight Stitcher, Jones, 1920s
Straight stitcher sewing machine, made by Jones, England, Model HS6, Serial No. 22242, 1920s. Used at Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, Richmond in the upstairs workroom. Simpson's Gloves Pty ...
From: Richmond, Australia Images: 1 -
Sewing Machine - Trimming, Singer, 1902
Singer sewing machine with trimming attachments, Serial No. K 74241. Made at Singer factory in Elizabeth, New Jersey, USA in 1902. Used at Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, Richmond in the ups ...
From: Elizabeth, United States Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Foot Warmer - Hecla Electrics Pty Ltd, circa 1960
Hecla electric foorwarmer, iron frame with metal embossing, circa 1960. Used at Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, Richmond in the office in the 1960s. Purchased by Mr. Arthur Atkins. Simpson ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Foot Warmer - Hecla Electrics Pty Ltd, circa 1960
Hecla electric foorwarmer, iron frame with metal embossing, circa 1960. Used at Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, Richmond in the office in the 1960s. Purchased by Mr. Arthur Atkins. Simpson ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 0 -
Photograph - Amos Simpson, Framed, 1930s
Framed photograph of Amos Griffiths Simpson (1878-1953), co-founder of Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, Richmond, circa 1930s. Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd was formed in 1924 and produced leather ...
From: Richmond, Australia Images: 1 -
Sign - 'The Man We Need', Simpson's Gloves, Richmond, Victoria, circa 1930s
Sign setting out the virtues and characteristics of the ideal employee or 'The Man We Need'. Signed at the bottom by Amos Griffiths Simpson, co-founder of Simpson's Gloves Pty Ltd, Rich ...
From: Richmond, Australia Images: 1
