During WWI, young women working in clock factories painted watch dials with radium paint. When several of the women started becoming gravely ill, a conflict arose when the company refused to accept responsibility for their deaths. Even though the first few attempts to reach compromise in court failed, in 1938, justice prevailed. The outcome of this conflict would not only impact workers' rights, but would increase our knowledge of radium poisoning, saving countless lives.
Click image(s) to enlarge.
The dial-painters at a company social, including Ella Eckert (second left), Mollie Maggia (third from right), and Sarah Maillefer (second from right)
The New Jersey “Radium Girls.” From left: Quinta McDonald, Edna Husmman, Albina Larice, Katherine Schaub and Grace Fryer on June 4, 1928. /Chicago Tonight - Click image to enlarge
Workers at Radium Dial in Ottawa, Ill., are shown in this file photo. /Chicago Tribune