Title
Women Work on Colt Assembly Line
Subject
Colt Manufacturing; Connecticut Firearm Production in World War I
Description
During both World War I and World War II, women were called upon to serve in factories on the homefront, producing weapons and ammunition for the United States armed forces. In nearly all photographs of Colt Firearm Manufacturing's assembly lines during World War I, it is mostly women shown contributing to the production of both Colt M1911 Pistols and the Colt Vickers machine gun.
In "Silk and Steel: Women at Arms," Robert Wilson explains this culture shift, saying "During World Wars I and II, women played a critical role in the manufacture of both ammunition and heavy ordinance. Today, virtually every gun factory in the world relies heavily on women in production jobs, as well as, increasingly, in management positions" (Wilson). In this photograph, every single worker sitting on the assembly line is female, while two men can be seen standing (one left, one upper-right) in what appears to be management/supervision roles.
It was not only at Colt in Hartford that women were given opportunities to work and assist the war effort, however, as many women also helped the armories in Bridgeport, Connecticut for Remington Arms, brass in Waterbury at Waterbury Brass, and the navy in New London, CT.
In "Silk and Steel: Women at Arms," Robert Wilson explains this culture shift, saying "During World Wars I and II, women played a critical role in the manufacture of both ammunition and heavy ordinance. Today, virtually every gun factory in the world relies heavily on women in production jobs, as well as, increasingly, in management positions" (Wilson). In this photograph, every single worker sitting on the assembly line is female, while two men can be seen standing (one left, one upper-right) in what appears to be management/supervision roles.
It was not only at Colt in Hartford that women were given opportunities to work and assist the war effort, however, as many women also helped the armories in Bridgeport, Connecticut for Remington Arms, brass in Waterbury at Waterbury Brass, and the navy in New London, CT.
Source
Library of Congress
Date
1914-1918
Contributor
James Annunziato
Rights
Public Domain
Format
.jpg
Language
English
Original Format
Photograph