Figure 1.--This unidentified boy probably lived in the industrial city of Manchester. Note that although the boy has a cap that he goes barefoot. Notice also the hydrants were equipped with drinking spigots. (Many homes did not have running water at the time.) Everyone drank from a cup that was chained to the hydrant. The photograph which is undated was probably taken about 1905-10.

The lack of photographic images of working class children during the 19th century changes with the 20th century. Some images are available from the late 19th century, but several factors in the 20th century provide us a rich archive depicting living conditions and clothing. The develoment of more compact cameras at the turn of the 20th century was a major factor. It was much easier to take photographs and lress exprensive. The development of the Labour movement was another factor. Several photographers with progressive attitudes began to use photography to document living conditions of the poor. (Much like Dickens had done with his novels.) We note quite a few images of barefoot children in the early 20th century. More affluent children might play in the back garden barefoot on a warm sunny day, but even this was not common. We note far fewer children going barefoot after World War I (1914-18). We assume because of increasing income levels, but have few details at this time. The contrast between the many barefoot children before the War and the realtively few after the War, however, is striking. This is somewhat suprising because of the Depression and hard times. At the same time we note many children wearing light-weight shoes, especially sandals and during the summer commonly without socks. Even duringbthe difficult World War II years (1939-45), English children did not go barefoot, although sandals were very common.