Today these professions no longer exist. But all of them, of course, deserve our attention.
Professions, like dreams, at different times were different. Some of them were very necessary and in demand, interesting and dangerous. With the development of science and technology in some of them, the need has disappeared, and the work of people has replaced the mechanisms.
If we talk about professions that are no longer there, then probably, it is necessary to begin precisely from those without which life in the ancient world would be impossible.
1. The silver miner
In ancient Rome silver was extracted by hands. To this end, small boys were dropped into narrow and deep holes. In such burrows it was very hot, and the toxic gases present there allowed to stay in this mode for no more than three months. But the Romans did not care, because for this "position" slaves were used.
2. Organizer of Orgy
In our time there is a very popular profession event-manager. This is a specialist who organizes events of all kinds. In ancient Rome, such a person was called the organizer of orgies. True, the word "orgy" in those days meant not quite what we mean today. It was a grand dinner with plenty of drinks, food and women. Very often such "events" had a sexual connotation, and therefore the profession of the organizer of orgy was not very respected, but often enjoyed his services.
3. Urinator
Unlike the previous profession, the profession of the urinator was very popular and respected. The urinator's task was to dive to a depth of more than 30 meters, most often for installation of building structures. On the head of the diver they put on a bell with air in the form of a bell, and the cargo was tied to the feet. The rope connected it to the surface.
4. Stercorarius
Ancient Rome was famous for its sewage system. But most of the Romans, because of their poverty, had no access to it. Therefore, a special profession was created-the stercorarius. These people went to their houses and cleaned the sewers under them. All the impurities were taken out of the city on carts. Agree, the profession is necessary, but very unpleasant.
5. Porters
Here we have in mind the transfer of his master on special burdens from one place to another. Representatives of this profession were always well dressed, shod and fed. But, despite this, their profession can not be called easy. After all, to carry a fairly well-fed body up and down the stairs is not an easy matter. In addition, the burdens were encrusted with precious metals and stones, which increased their weight.
6. Funeral clown
This is a very strange combination of words that causes bewilderment. But such a profession was very popular in ancient Rome. The man changed into the clothes of the deceased, behaved joyfully, danced and joked. The Romans believed that this would provide joy to the deceased person in the afterlife. Some of these clowns were held in high esteem, and they were well paid.
7. The Gymnasium
In ancient Greece, athletic sports were very popular. The training and education of young athletes engaged in gymnasiums, which were selected from a noble family, for a period of one year. He had to be well-off, because he incurred all the expenses for the education of young athletes. And in order for the bodies of the young men to have a beautiful appearance, the gymnasium was lubricating them with special oils.
And now let's digress from ancient times, and remember the professions that were in demand not so long ago, but have already become history.
8. The man-alarm clock
Agree, it's nice to wake up in the morning to the favorite melody of your alarm clock. But it was not always so. In the village it was easier, the rooster helped people wake up there. In the cities of England and Ireland, in the era of industrialization to help those who had to get up early, came the man-alarm clock (knocker-up). He walked early in the morning down the street and knocked at the windows or doors of his customers until they woke up. For this, a bamboo stick was used. It cost such a service a few pence a week. Often, such "alarm clocks" were hired by owners of factories and factories, so that workers did not oversleep the beginning of the morning shift.
9. Bowling setter for bowling
At the beginning of the 20th century bowling was very popular, however, as it is today. Today it is difficult to imagine a bowling alley, where skittles are placed manually. But the mechanism for placing pins and balls was invented only in the late 30-ies of the twentieth century. Until that time, there was a profession of pin installer (pinspotter). The work is not difficult, but monotonous. The installation of the pins at that time was done by specially trained boys.
10. Igniter of lanterns
With the onset of twilight in the streets of the city lights were lit. But before the electricity appeared inside these lamps, not light bulbs burned, but candles, and their lanterners lit with the help of a long pole. Their duties also included putting out the flashlight at dawn.
11. Ice carvers
A modern apartment or house is difficult to imagine without a refrigerator or a freezer. Prior to their invention, ice-making was done by people who profess ice-makers. They sawed blocks of ice from frozen lakes and cut them into pieces. This profession was very dangerous. People often fell into ice water or froze.
12. Telephonist
This profession was very popular and in demand a couple of decades ago. To call another city, it was necessary to use the services of the switch. This job was hired by young educated girls with a pleasant voice that literally connected the wire with the wire.
13. Pied Piper
At the time of massive infections of rats, the Pied Piper profession was one of the most popular in Europe. Despite the fact that these people risked getting sick from rat bites, their work was an important public service. She was respected and well paid.
14. The man-radar
Before the advent of modern radar in the troops of many countries used acoustic mirrors and eavesdropping devices. With the help of these devices, the radar man could detect the sound of the engine from the approaching aircraft.
15. Factory Reader
At many factories and plants with monotonous work, they recruited special readers. They read working books and newspapers in a specially designated place, entertaining them in this way. Later these lecturers began to teach workers a letter.
16. Milkman
This profession was very necessary in cities before the invention of the refrigerator. Without cooling, milk was spoiled for one day. The person who made daily deliveries of this product was called a milkman.