Man Atop Chimney, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland
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Man Atop Chimney, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland
Man Atop Chimney, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England. Date: 1903
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14201399
© The Wentworth Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
Atop Chimney Newcastle Northumberland Tyne
EDITORS COMMENTS
Man Atop Chimney, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland (1903): A Daring Feat of Bravado and Necessity This photograph, taken in 1903, depicts a man boldly perched atop a chimney in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England. The image, a testament to human courage and resilience, captures a moment in history that continues to intrigue and inspire. During the early 20th century, Newcastle-upon-Tyne was a bustling industrial city, renowned for its coal mining and shipbuilding industries. The city's factories and power stations produced vast amounts of smoke and soot, which blanketed the streets and buildings in a thick, choking haze. To keep their homes warm and functional, residents relied on their chimneys to vent the smoke and gases produced by their coal fires. However, the constant build-up of soot and grime on the chimneys made regular cleaning a necessity. Chimney sweeps, often children or the most vulnerable members of society, were tasked with the dangerous and arduous job of climbing up the chimneys to clean them. This photograph captures one such chimney sweep, taking a brief respite at the top of a particularly tall and narrow chimney. Despite the inherent risks, the men who worked as chimney sweeps were highly skilled and experienced. They would use a special brush, known as a "broom," to scrub the soot from the interior walls of the chimney. They would also carry buckets to collect the soot, which they would then sell as fuel or use to make bricks. The man in this photograph, with his determined gaze and confident posture, embodies the spirit of the chimney sweeps who risked their lives to keep Newcastle's homes warm and functional. His daring feat of climbing atop the chimney, while impressive, was just a small part of the larger, essential role he played in the daily life of this industrial city.
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