Iris Benvenuti

What people wore

Herdsmen's daily and festive attire

Appenzell herdsmen wore knee-length leather breeches called Gääle on special occasions and brown semi-linen trousers for everyday work. Their outfits were often complemented by a silver watch-chain featuring coins, medals, and brass plaques with cow motifs.

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

Stretching meals with bread and coffee

Working-class families spent approximately 62 percent of their income on food, relying heavily on bread, potatoes, and coffee mixed with chicory as a cheaper substitute. Bread was so essential that it was used to stretch every meal, including soups or rösti.

Music

Rise of the Schwyzerörgeli Accordion

Around 1900, the Schwyzerörgeli (a diatonic button accordion) became increasingly popular, often replacing the violin in bands and becoming a way for soldiers to pass time during WWI.

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.