Knocker-uppers 100 years ago
Mary Smith earned six pence a week shooting a pea into the windows of the sleeping workers. Knocker-up or Knocker-upper is a forgotten profession in England and Ireland, to awaken people to work. It originated in the times of the industrial revolution and existed until the 20’s of the 20th century, as late as the 1920s, before alarm clocks were affordable or reliable. Mostly used long bamboo sticks, batons, canes, but sometimes to rouse residents of the upper floors, had to shoot at the window with green peas. Knocker-uppers were mostly elderly people, but sometimes, for an additional fee, this work was entrusted to the local Constable.