Iris Benvenuti

What people wore

Distinctive accessories for herdsmen

Herdsmen used an earring called an Ohreschueffe, which consisted of a miniature cream ladle attached to a short chain by a snake’s head. For everyday smoking, they carried a Lindauerli pipe, which was distinguished by having a silver lid.

Getting around

Walking as the standard daily transport

In rural regions at the start of the 20th century, walking was the primary mode of transportation as many villages remained poorly connected by road. Farmers typically stayed within their own community, only venturing out sporadically to sell goods at local markets.

At the table

Alcohol as a morning staple

Industrial workers would rush to taverns early in the morning for a pre-work hit of liquor, which cost 20 centimes even as late as the 1930s.

Music

The Unique Sound of Talerschwingen

Talerschwingen is a unique performance where a coin is rhythmically rolled inside an earthenware bowl to create a drone, often accompanying natural yodeling.

Daily life

Child labor in embroidery industry

Children as young as six were often employed to thread embroidery needles for hours before, during, and after school, deep into the night.

What it cost

Worker wages in 1906

In 1906, daily wages for day laborers at a gas works in Schlieren ranged from 2.80 to 6.25 Swiss francs, while permanent employees earned 115 to 210 francs per month.