Today marks the 101st anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire, which killed close to 150 New York City garment workers in under 18 minutes. It was one of the deadliest industrial disasters in the United States history.
Many people, mostly immigrant women, endured severe working conditions while working in sweatshops. Similar to Wal-Mart, workers had been locked into the factory to prevent them from stealing/taking unauthorized breaks/talking to union organizers. When the fire broke out in the Triangle factory, similar to the World Trade tragedy, people jumped through open windows in an attempt to save themselves.
To me, the fire represents the failings and dangers of mass-production.
Cornell University has been maintaining a site dedicated to the fire. Check it out here.
Some swipes:
And a video:
Love and enjoy.