[LMB] Back OT: Servants, was Pride and Predator (now on topic)

[Howard Brazee]

V L'Ecuyer wrote:
> Me:
> I notice that the decrease in hired help in the home corresponded with the
> increase of electrified houses in America. (One of my father's early jobs
> was as an electrician wiring rural houses for electricity in the 50's.)
>
> Electricity is a great equalizer and automatic machines are a great way to
> free up hands and labor-hours. I can do laundry, wash dishes and clean
> the floors all at the same time with machines. Before electricity, it would
> take me three times as long, or the assistance of two other people if I
> wanted to get done in the same amount of time.
>   
I propose that a bigger cause of the change was when labor became more 
valuable.   As people found jobs elsewhere that paid better, only the 
wealthy could afford servants.   So a new market was produced consisting 
of people who used to hire servants to do their housework (and farm work).