Heartfelt Plea: 1915 Car Striker & A Call for Help

This striking glass negative from around 1915 to 1920 captures a poignant interaction between a car striker and an individual in need. Taken by a Bain News Service photographer, the image serves as a snapshot of the early automobile era, an exciting yet challenging time in American history when cars began to transform transportation and society. The term car striker refers to laborers who often protested for better working conditions in the burgeoning automotive industry, illustrating the tensions between progress and social hardships.

The scene exemplifies the social dynamics of the time, where technological advancements often contrasted sharply with economic challenges faced by many individuals. This photograph is not just a moment frozen in time; it represents broader themes of labor rights and the struggles of the less fortunate during a period of rapid industrial change. Understanding this image provides insight into the complexities of American life in the early 20th century and the ongoing narratives of labor and economic disparity.