1.) Bowling alley pin setter
This was typically a teenager’s job and didn’t pay very well
2.) Knocker-upper
Knocker-uppers were basically human alarm clocks. They would make sure their clients would wake up
They would rap on doors and windows with truncheons, or even use pea shooters
3.) Ice cutter
When lakes froze, ice cutters would saw through the layers and give the pieces to ice delivery men
4.) Pre-radar enemy aircraft detection
These devices helped soldiers listen for approaching enemy aircraft and warn their own troops
5.) Rat catcher
In Europe, rat catchers were hired to control the rodent population and prevent the spread of disease
It wasn’t an easy job, as many of them would suffer from bites
6.) Lamp lighter
Until electric street lamps were introduced, lamp lighters would need to go around lighting or extinguishing street lamps
7.) Milkman
Because of less advanced refrigeration and preservation techniques, cold milk would need to be delivered often
8.) Log driver – Before log transportation via truck was possible, these men would guide logs down the river
9.) Switchboard operator
Before modern technology, switchboard operators were an integral part of telephone networks by connecting calls
10.) Resurrectionist – They were basically 19th century body snatchers. Resurrectionists would remove corpses from graves for universities to use as cadavers
11.) Factory worker lector
Lectors hired at factories would read to those who worked all day, providing entertainment