Generally, we know that chimney sweep clears ash and residue from the chimneys of homes. If we take a look at the chimney sweep history, then we will find some exciting details about it. So, a lot of people use chimneys to a good effect. During the operation of a chimney, a layer of creosote also builds up inside. So, it can restrict the flow. Moreover, it’s also worth noting that the creosote can catch fire. If it does, then the chimney, as well as the whole house, may catch fire. Therefore, it’s essential to clean the chimney every once in a while to remove the soot.
So, if we take a look at the chimney sweep history, we will know that the master sweep did this work. In Britain, the master sweeps even took apprentices like orphan boys and workhouses. So, they guided them to climb up the chimneys. On the other hand, in the German states, the master sweepers hired trading guilds. However, it’s also true that the orphan boys or climbing boys found work in Belgium, Italy, and France.
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A Short History Of Chimney Sweep
So, it’s time to tell a short chimney sweep history to know about the times. Well, with the industrial revolution, the urban community increased to a great extent. Therefore, a lot of people came from the villages into the cities. So, naturally, they built a lot of houses as well as chimneys. As we said earlier, you need to sweep the chimneys every once in a while otherwise the remains may create trouble. So, with this growing economic boom and houses, chimney sweeping became a profession for a lot of people.
Generally, the orphan boys or workhouses became chimney sweepers. However, it’s also true that the profession of the chimney sweeper wasn’t that easy at all. It was complex, dangerous, as well as low-paying. Despite that, a lot of people who needed some money and had nothing to do accepted the offer. The master sweepers as we said earlier, hired boys from orphanages and workhouses.
On this note, it’s worth mentioning that it was Goerge Smart who first invented the first mechanical sweeper back in 1803. However, the govt and people resisted it in UK and US. Thereafter, it was Joseph Glass who marketed another sweeping machine back in 1828. In fact, a lot of people give him the credit of being the creator of the modern chimney’s sweep brush. In addition, in the northern US, the whites gave up their trades and they employed the black sweet boys from the southern part. After the 1875s, people romanticized the occupation.
Chimney Boys Of The Victorian Era
As per the sources, the victorian era wasn’t pleasant for the chimney boys. If we look at the chimney sweep history, then we can testify to that fact. So, the books say that the victorian period was the worst for them. Why? Because during that time, the chimneys weren’t like we see now. They were nothing like the single, straight chimneys we think of today, to say the least.
People generally installed the chimneys in old buildings. So, those chimneys were far from straight. Moreover, the makers typically angled them to avoid cutting through the living spaces. Most of them were around 9/12 inches in size. So, we can see that the boys had it tough during that time. A lot of chimneys were even 60 ft tall and that means a fall from one would certainly be death.
Must Read : Chimney Sweep Child: Some Riveting Facts About Chimney Sweepers Of History
