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Mozart working on the overture for Don Giovanni, 1787, (1906). Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) wrote the overture on the night of 28 October 1787 ready for its first performance at the National
Ironer, 1822. An Indian using an iron filled with hot charcoal to press clothes. (London, 1822)
Boring wooden pipes, and casting and drawing iron pipes, c1825. At top is a machine for boring wooden pipes. The rest of the machines are for casting a drawing out iron pipes
Ironing room in a laundry, 1867. The washroom can be seen through the door in the background. On the left is the stove for heating flatirons
Paddington Station, the London terminus of the Great Western Railway, 1854. Iron was used in the construction of the roof, and the spans supported on cast iron pillars
Servants hiring office, Berlin, Germany, 1874. Illustration showing modestly dressed women at the door of a hiring office, talking and showing their references to prospective employers
Roman Kitchen with Stove and Cooking Pot, c20th century. Reconstructed at Grunwald Museum
Greek Pyxis, (Cosmetic Box), Women performing domestic tasks, Athens, c460BC-450 BC
Rumfords fireplace, c1880. Devised by Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford (1753-1814), Anglo-American scientist and administrator
Servants or slaves making preparations for a feast, mosaic, Carthage, 2nd century. From the Musee du Louvre, Paris
Aztec education of boys (left) and girls (right). Boys are shown being punished by a father who holds him over a fire of burning chillies while lecturing him
Man smoking a pipe, early 17th century. A family group, with the father with a pipe producing much smoke while his wife and children seem to be raising objections
Girl on her way to starting work in domestic service, 1884. Artist: Marian GardinerGirl on her way to starting work in domestic service, 1884. A country girl in a railway carriage leaving home for the first time to go into service as a maid in a city
Carpet sweeper, c1900s. A startled insect hurries to escape from a woman using a carpet sweeper, which the insect has confused with an automobile
Bissell carpet sweeper, American, c1887. This type of carpet sweeper was invented by Melville and Anna Bissell in 1876. As it is pushed along
Cover of Genius Rewarded, or the History of the Singer Sewing Machine, 1880. American inventor and manufacturer Isaac Merritt Singer (1811-1875) patented his famous sewing machine in 1851
Invention of the Singer sewing machine, 1850 (1880). American inventor Isaac Merrit Singer (1811-1875) adjusting the tension on his sewing machine in a last desperate attempt to make it work in
Benefits of using the Singer sewing machine, 1880. A home and family transformed into models of comfort and smartness by the housewifes industry with the help of the sewing machine invented by Isaac
Isaac Merrit Singers first sewing machine, patented in 1851 (1880). From Genius Rewarded or the Story of the Sewing Machine. (New York, 1880)
Greek Vase-Painting, A woman brings offering to an altar, c5th century BC At National Archaeological Museum, Athens
Samuel Johnson, 18th century English man of letters in his house off Fleet Street, London, 1852Samuel Johnson, 18th century English man of letters in his house off Fleet Street, London, attended by his servant, Francis, and Mrs Williams, 1852
Advertisement for The Vacuum Cleaner Company, 1906. This company adopted Hubert Cecil Booths patent of 1901 which used suction to collect dust
Household utensils, 1906. Bread slicer: coffee roaster: Bissell carpet sweeper: mangle: knife sharpener: spice box. From Mrs Beetons Household Management
Domestic sewing machine powered by steam, 1883. Woman sewing with a machine powered by a steam motor placed on top of a domestic range. From La Nature. (Paris, 1883)
Small lockstick sewing machine, 1886. Patented in 1881, this small sewing machine weighing approx 226g (8oz) could be mounted on a table top. From Cassells Family Magazine. (London, 1886)
Domestic servants, 1901. Cook and kitchen maid, parlour maid and scullery maids. Chapter headpiece from The Book of Household Management by Isabella Beeton. (London, 1901). First published 1859-1860
Footman, 1888. Footman presenting a card that a caller has left for the lady of the house. (London, 1888)
Oh ah! let em ring again!, 1847. Artist: George CruikshankOh ah! let em ring again!, 1847. Rebellion below stairs as the servants, snug in front of the range, fail to answer the house bells at the first ring
Sharps the Word!, 1888. The concept of cremation was still a very new one in 1888. However, the problems of living with mother-in-law are unchanging
Christmas Bills, 1872. A husband and wife take very different views of the benefits of striking. There had been many strikes in London, and throughout England, during 1872
Small Things Amuse Small Minds, 1872. The rain falls as Mr and Mrs Jessamy shelter under a huge umbrella whilst watering their carefully tended garden
An Unselfish Man, 1888. The duties incumbent upon an MP can, sadly, mean having to leave home, hearth and wife for lonely lodgings in the capital. From Punch, or the London Charivari, November 3, 1888
What Will Become of the Servant-Gals?, 1865. Artist: George du MaurierWhat Will Become of the Servant-Gals?, 1865. The lady of the house shows a benevolent gentleman visitor where her housemaid sleeps. This appears to be an outhouse, damp and dirty
