2007:
Listen to an account from an apprentice at Sheffield Forgemasters steel company in 2007. There are more audio files on the resources page of this story.
In the 1950s:
Hear the audio from a discussion with a group of 'Little Mesters' and Sheffield steel workers who were based at Tinsley Wire steel company in the 1950s.
An Illustration of Sheffield Steelworkers
In Victorian Times:
You can listen to the audio accounts of Mr J E White after inspecting cutlery factories in Sheffield in 1865 and it is accompanied by a transcription. The report highlights the poor conditions and hard work life of the young workers.
Illustration of a Victorian Grinders Workshop
During Victorian times Sheffield became a world centre for steel production and a large percentage of the Sheffield workforce was employed in the steel and cutlery industries.