Milling

Title: Roller Mills Being Operated
Type: Photograph
Date: no date
Source: Minnesota Historical Society

Description: This photograph shows the interior of the first Washburn "A" Mill and the roller mills that were used for grinding flour.

Activities:

1. What kinds of dangers might workers face while using the machinery in the picture?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: Hands, long hair or loose clothing caught in the belts and pulleys which are not covered. The room also seems small or crowded, which leaves very little space to move away if something breaks or explodes.
2. How would the clothing worn by the workers in the picture be appropriate for their job safety?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: There is no loose clothing that could get caught in the machinery. Hair was kept up under hats. Skin was covered by long sleeves, pants, and heavy boots.
3. What do you think the tubes (called spouts) attached to the top of the roller machines are for?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: They are for feeding grain into the machines. Grain flows into the top, is ground up inside by rollers, then drops through more tubes or spouts to the next level below.
4. What might you guess from the fact that only one worker is in the photo?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: These machines were automatic and didn't require someone to make them operate. The worker is probably responsible for watching over all of them and making sure they keep running.