Trimmers have a long and storied past – one that we should all be proud of. Those who came before us upholstered everything from horse carriages to bicycles until cars came along. And when the airplane was invented, guess who they called upon to design their seats?
While researching a little bit of our history online, I came across three beautiful pictures that depict what it was like working as an auto trimmer in the early to mid 1900s. They’re featured below.
Vehicle trim and upholstery factory owned by Fisher Body Corporation / General Motors, 1934
A woman sewing motor covers at the Ford Motor Company Willow Run Bomber Plant, 1943.
Men sewing vehicle seat covers at Britain’s Austin Motor Company, circa 1950.
Love these pics!
Awesome pictures! I bet those Singer machines are still running today.
I think I owned one of those machines once!
If they’re using treadle machines, they must have legs like rugby players!
RETIRED… LOOKS LIKE THE AUTO MAUFACTURES HAD SWEATSHOPS ALSO. SO THATS HOW FORD PUT A FORD IN EVERY DRIVEWAY.
I thought exactly the same thing that Naseem comented when i saw the first picture!!
I’m glad that you all enjoyed the photos. I’m working on tracking down a few more!
I think we have one of them old singers…..
Excellent pictures! Check out the lady sewing in a jacket…gotta be sweatin on a hot day.
Retired…Reminds Me Of Some Of The Furniture Shops I Worked In In The Late 60’s And Early 70’s. I Also Worked In A Shop Called Trapuntos Which If You Look Up the word Traputo It Means, A Puffy, Decorative Feature. They Made The Sample Cards Like In “The Detroit Book”. And They All Looked Like Sweat Shops But Some Who Worked There Are Probably Millionairs Today.