45 Historical Photos That Give Us a Unique Glimpse Into the Past

During World War I, the drafting of young men into the military left many industries struggling to replace their workers. The solution was to hire women to do what was once considered men’s work, including the physically demanding task of carrying blocks of ice. In the era before modern refrigerators, the only way to keep food cool and fresh was by using ice boxes…

These boxes required large blocks of ice, which were delivered to homes and businesses by ice delivery trucks. The blocks of ice were often too heavy for women to lift, but with a bit of ingenuity and the use of special carrying tools, women were able to take on this challenging work.