C. Douglas Dillon

Clarence Douglas Dillon was an American investment banker, diplomat and Republican politician who served as the United States ambassador to France from 1953 to 1957 and as the 57th United States Secretary of the Treasury from 1961 to 1965. He was also a member of the Executive Committee of the National Security Council (ExComm) during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Distinctive accessories for herdsmen

Herdsmen used an earring called an Ohreschueffe, which consisted of a miniature cream ladle attached to a short chain by a snake’s head. For everyday smoking, they carried a Lindauerli pipe, which was distinguished by having a silver lid.

Herdsmen's daily and festive attire

Appenzell herdsmen wore knee-length leather breeches called Gääle on special occasions and brown semi-linen trousers for everyday work. Their outfits were often complemented by a silver watch-chain featuring coins, medals, and brass plaques with cow motifs.

Appenzell Singing and String Music

In Appenzell, people gathered for social singing of Ratzliedli, which were humorous or mocking songs where everyone eventually joined in a yodeled chorus. Traditional instrumental groups during this era typically consisted of two violins, a hammer dulcimer, a cello, and an upright bass.

Rise of the Schwyzerörgeli Accordion

Around 1900, the Schwyzerörgeli (a diatonic button accordion) became increasingly popular, often replacing the violin in bands and becoming a way for soldiers to pass time during WWI.

Gotthard railway slashes transit times

By the turn of the century, the Gotthard railway had reduced the travel time between Basel and Chiasso to approximately 10.5 hours. This represented a massive improvement over earlier methods, which had taken 3.5 days by carriage or 6 days by mule train.

Urban transport and tourism growth

While residents in urban centers benefited from expanded tram and railway networks, using these modern transport options was often expensive, requiring the purchase of specialized worker or monthly subscriptions to be affordable. In 1903, the Zurich steamship company shifted its focus toward tourism, operating ships designed as comfortable, luxurious experiences for travelers.

Child labor in embroidery industry

Children as young as six were often employed to thread embroidery needles for hours before, during, and after school, deep into the night.

Laundry was an exhausting, multi-day chore

Laundry day was a major, multi-day ordeal done in the basement, requiring heavy pots, boiling water, and intense manual labor like scrubbing and wringing, often making hands cracked and sore.

Alcohol as a morning staple

Industrial workers would rush to taverns early in the morning for a pre-work hit of liquor, which cost 20 centimes even as late as the 1930s.

Stretching meals with bread and coffee

Working-class families spent approximately 62 percent of their income on food, relying heavily on bread, potatoes, and coffee mixed with chicory as a cheaper substitute. Bread was so essential that it was used to stretch every meal, including soups or rösti.

Worker wages in 1906

In 1906, daily wages for day laborers at a gas works in Schlieren ranged from 2.80 to 6.25 Swiss francs, while permanent employees earned 115 to 210 francs per month.

Rising food costs 1914–1919

In 1914, basic food prices were 35 centimes per kilogram for bread, 19 centimes per kilogram for potatoes, and 24 centimes per liter for milk. By 1919, the price of bread had more than doubled to 73 centimes per kilogram.

Wages in clothing

Young labourers, particularly domestic girls, often received wages primarily in the form of the doppelten Häs, which consisted of two complete sets of clothing from head to toe.

Life as a domestic servant

Female domestic service was the most common profession for working-class women in 1900, requiring constant availability with limited time off, often just a few hours every other Sunday.