Not that long ago in the context of modern human society.  Only 100 years yet look how far we have come.  What draws me to these photos is that people were not afraid to work with their hands.  There was value in getting dirty and a feeling of accomplishment in putting in a good day’s work.  I respect that.  Toiling in the fields is not such a bad thing if it leads to a better life and creating work saving machinery which is exactly what occurred.  Again, I refer you to Max Weber’s treatise, “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism” (1904).

Both of these photos were taken in approximately the same time period of 1912.  I think they illustrate quite clearly the manual labor that was required in creating modern American society.  While these images may seem quaint in our time it is useful to remember that there are alternate methods of production available should modern technology become unavailable for some reason.

These plows are so heavy that you need a four horse team to pull them. (c.1912).