Operating Potter and Johnson Automatic Lathe

Operating Potter and Johnson Automatic Lathe...', 1915-1918. A photograph taken by an unknown photographer during 1915-1918 of a woman operating a machine lathe in a British factory. A male supervisor stands nearby, his hand resting on a machine. Other men look on from the background. During World War One, many British women took up what was seen as 'men's work' to support the war effort. When the war ended, many women were reluctant to lose the independence work gave them. This photograph has been selected from an album entitled, 'Women's Work in the War 1915-1918'. The full title of the photograph reads, 'Operating Potter and Johnson Automatic Lathe - rough boring, facing and finish boring aluminium pistons for Clerget rotary engine'. ©SSPL/National Media Museum