Bizarre jobs that no longer exist -

The everyday jobs of the previous century seem way more challenging than what they are today. Here's a look at the in-demand professions of the bygone era.

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Daguerreotypist -

These were the men who developed the first photographic images in the mid 1800s, known as daguerreotypes.

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Pinsetter -

Can you imagine a career as a professional alley pinsetter? Some people did have this job.

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Soda jerk -

This was quite a popular job, especially among the younger crowd in the 1950s. It involved handling soda fountains and serving ice cream.

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Lector -

These workers were brought to places such as factories (a cigar factory is pictured here) to entertain workers. They would do so by reading the news and fiction to them.

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Breaker boy -

No, the job has nothing to do with breakdancing. In the 1920s, breaker boys would assisting coal breakers in the mines.

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Iceman -

Before refrigerators, someone had to deliver ice, right? This was the job of the iceman.

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Log driver -

The logging industry used to be a bit different back in the day, so transporting logs usually involved "driving" them through rivers.

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Telegraphist -

In a world where we needed to communicate but had no phones in everyone's pockets, the telegraph operator had quite an important role.

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Phrenologist -

Phrenology was based on the belief that bumps on the skull could predict mental traits. A number of measurements were used.

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Quarryman -

This was a tough manual job that involved tasks such as splitting off and moving blocks of stone.

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Book peddler -

You're probably familiar with door-to-door salesmen. In the 19th century, these peddlers did so exclusively with books.

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Mudlark -

This occupation involved scavenging through the mud to try and find something valuable.

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Fuller -

Originally, fulling was a step in woollen cloth making that would essentially eliminate any dirt. It was also a way to wash clothes in bulk. And, of course, someone had to do it.

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Hobbler -

Hobblers would work in harbors during the 1800s,  towing ships and other vessels.

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Haberdasher -

This was the name given  to those who ran an haberdashery store. In Great Britain you'd find mostly sewing, knitting, and other supplies, and in the US haberdashers would sell men's clothing (pictured).

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Film boxer -

No, we're not talking about Rocky. Up to the 90s, video companies would hire people to maintain, store, and send film canisters to wherever they needed to be sent.

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Powder monkey -

This was the name given to the boys who would go to war alongside sailors. They were responsible for handling gunpowder, including filling up the cannons.

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Vivandiere -

This is the French name for women who would support troops by working as sutlers (selling provisions) and canteen keepers.

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Eggler -

This was the name given to women who would sell eggs in bulk at markets.

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Water carrier -

Without plumbing, some people made a living of carrying water from one place to another.

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Typist -

Operating a typewriter was indeed a skill in demand, and one that many women sought to have.

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Railroad keeper -

Also known as "Gandy Dancers," these were the railroad workers responsible for maintaining the railroad tracks in the US before machines took over.

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Herb strewer -

The world was a much smellier place centuries ago. The job of the herb strewer was to spread nice fragrant herbs in important buildings and royal residences, including castles and palaces.

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Clock-winder -

These professionals would wind up and maintain clocks.

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Radio actor -

One can argue that this occupation still exists, to a certain degree, but of course it's nowhere near as popular as it was many decades ago.

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Listener for enemies -

In a pre-radar world, troop used this apparatus to detect approaching enemy aircraft.

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Badger -

Badgers were essentially the middlemen between farmers and consumers. They'd buy from the farmers and sell the products in the markets. It's a model that still exists to this day, though under different names.

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Coppersmith -

Also known as redsmiths, these workers used copper like the blacksmith used iron. It's still present in some cultures, but has mostly died out.

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Signalman -

Technology has made this job obsolete in most places (though there are still some around). The job was about operating the levers and ensuring the trains operated safely.

Sources: (My Health Gazette) 

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