There was a time when large swaths of the population rode bicycles to get from place to place. Even blue-collar factory workers rode to work, as evidenced by this wonderful photo of a bicycle shed at the General Electric Schenectady Works. In addition to bicycles, workers poured out of the main plant by bus,…

Again from 1919, a look at where a typical GE worker in Schenectady would enjoy that typical 25-cent midday meal: in the Schenectady Works Restaurant. This plan is just of the first floor; we can presume the second floor was more of the same. Though perhaps it didn’t have a cigar case. A cigar…

In case you were wondering whether General Electric’s Schenectady Works provided adequate nutrition for its workers in 1919, you may rest assured. For starters, Charles Ripley, author of “Life in A Large Manufacturing Plant,” wants you to know that the bill of fare for a typical noonday meal served to employees was the “full…

In 1919, Charles M. Ripley wrote a thorough description of General Electric’s Schenectady Works, which then numbered 22,000 workers who formed both the economic and social lifeblood of the city. Among the social clubs formed by this burgeoning workforce was The Edison Club: “The Edison Club was formed in 1904 as a result of…

That’s three-quarters of a cup of flour. Not 2¾. The Gazette apologizes to anyone who tried to down one of these walnut bars. (1978)

From the Schenectady Gazette in 1931 comes the unlikely story that “Alco Worker’s Violin May Be Stradivarius.” The violin that Adam Swarski, 400 Cutler street, has played accosionally [sic] to amuse himself for the past few years, may bring him a fortune, if it lives up to recent expectations. Swarsky [sic], a carpenter for…