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Blanck & Harris, Owners of the Factory
Harris and Blanck met in New York in their 20s, and shared a common story. Both born in Russia, both immigrated to the U.S. in the early 1890s. And, like other hundreds and thousands of Jewish immigrants, both began working in the garment industry. After a decade, they decided to enter a partnership with each other that would propel their careers, and give them a nickname of "The Shirtwaist Kings". ._. I, for one,honestly think they should want to be called " The Shirtwaist Lords". Lords=Cool -
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Beginning
Harris and Blanck funded Triangle Waist Co. and stared to run their own little shop on Wooster St. Turn of the century, the shirtwaist was a popular and new item.Shirtwaist were way looser and was more liberate than Victorian style bodices. Blanck was a salesman,meeting with potential buyers and going to stores who had their product. They, however, took advantage and installed mechanical sewing machines that were 5xs faster and priced the shirtwaist with modesty, $3 at the most. -
Moving on up
Harris and Blanck moved their business to the 9th floor of the Asch building on the corner of Washington Square in Greenwich village Harris designed the layout of the sewing floor by himself. (Apparently Blanck was being lazy) He placed the tables in a special way that would minimize the chances of workers cutting up and having conversations among themselves. In 1906, the very successful company expanded to the 8th floor. (Yippee) Later, they expanded their business everywhere. -
"Shirtwaist Kings" FINALLY!!!
In 1908, Harris and Blanck hit the $1 million mark. They purchased the 10th floor of the Asch building and produced more than 1000 Shirtwaist in a day. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory became the largest manufacturer of blouses,( I swear if any of you don't know what a blouse is) earning them the nickname "Shirtwaist Kings" ( still think it should be "Lords" ijs) -
Oh, It's On!
Harris and Blanck's Factory was competing against over 11,000 other textile manufacturers in N.Y.C.. They ordered better, and greater efficiency from their production team, which also meant longer work hours with even littler pay. Foremen monitored the female immigrant employees during the day and when it was time to leave, they checked their handbags. Mr. Max Blanck ordered the secondary exit doors be locked, in an additional safeguard against theft. -
Poor working conditions and Strikes
The poor working conditions dissatisfied the factory employees. Harris and Blanck decided to house a new, modern-rise building, which gave more practice to operating several smaller "sweatshops" and giving workers the chance to build a sisterhood and solidarity. In November of 1909, the female workers went on strike and Harris and Blanck decided to do a "personal attack"; hired private policemen and thugs to beat,berate, and disarray picketers. -
The end of the stikes
The strike continued into 1910 and the resulting decrease in productivity and Harris and Blanck gave in and agreed to less hours and higher pay,but remained steadfast in their opposition to a union. -
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
On March 25,1911, only 13 months after the strike ended, a fire broke out on the 8th floor of the factory. On the 10th floor, Harris and Blanck were warned of the fire over phone and escaped to the rooftop and moved too another buildings roof. Workers on the 8th floor rushed to escape in the elevator or running down the stair, but, on the 9th floor,people remained unaware of the fire until smoke filled the room and flames blocked exits. -
Deaths,and Non-Fatal Injuries
Out of 200 people, 146 perished, and jumped to their death on the pavement below. 71 people had non-fatal injuries. -
Haha. Sucks for You.
Almost IMMEDIATELY after the fire, Harris and Blanck began to advertise for a campaign for their shirtwaist to maintain their image as a reliable manufacturer. They hosted reporters from New York Times, defending their actions to the public, and insisting that they had taken ALL precautions. -_- On April 11, Harris and Blanck were charged with seven counts of manslaughter in the 1st and 2nd degree. -
Moving on Out.
Harris and Blanck paid $25,000 for bail and hired one of New York's most expensive lawyers. The trial of December 1911 lasted 3 weeks, and centered on a locked door that led to a flight of stairs.On December 27, after the court heard very emotional testimony, both Harris and Blanck were acquitted of all charges. In 1913, they moved the Triangle Shirtwaist Company to a bigger location on West 23 St.In March of that year, Harris and Blanck reached a settlement with the victims parents. -
Sorry, Officially Closed
In the year 1918, Harris and Blanck shut down the Triangle Shirtwaist Company.The business never recovered to the profit level seen before the fire.
