The 6 Most Dangerous Jobs in History and Who Did Them
Working isn’t glamorous for most of us. And while some of us sit in an office or at home next to the computer, a large portion of workers are out in the elements, with some being in dangerous, life-threatening positions. While that life isn’t for everyone, it’s a big part of history. For example, these are the most dangerous jobs in history, with many people putting their lives at risk to make a paycheck or simply survive.
6. Whalers
Being a whale is one of the most dangerous jobs throughout history. Whaling is simply whale hunting to gather precious parts of the animal, like their meat and blubber, which is used to make oil. The practice has been done since 875 AD and was banned in many countries by 1969 due to the near extinction of many species. Unfortunately, the practice is still done today. Not only is the work physically demanding, but whalers have the threat of being capsized or attacked.
5. Food Tasters
At first glance, being a food taster sounds enjoyable. You get a bite of delicious meals. But it’s also one of the most dangerous jobs in history. A food taster is a person who ingests food prepared for someone else, usually a high figure in history like an emperor, to confirm that it’s safe to eat. This was done frequently in ancient Rome to ensure nothing was poisoned. A cupbearer was also common, but instead of eating, they sipped the drinks.
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4. Radium Girls
Women fell to the same fate just as much as men throughout history. One of the most dangerous jobs was that of the Radium Girls, female factory workers who often contracted radiation poisoning from painting radium dials. The watch dials and hands were hand-painted with self-luminous paint. And while the painting aspect wasn’t dangerous, the girls would often use their lips to shape the paintbrushes, causing them to ingest the hazardous paint.
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3. Chimney Sweeps
Chimney sweepers, also known as being lcimbiung boys, had one of the most dangerous, as well as dirty and harsh. Most employed were orphans or from impoverished backgrounds urged into the job by their parents. Boys were used because of their small size, allowing them to squeeze into the small spaces. Unfortunately, many sweepers suffered respiratory problems and burns, with some even dying from getting stuck in the chimneys.
2. Coal Miners
Most of us might know a family member who had a job in a coal mine. Unfortunately, though, coal miners have one of the most dangerous jobs in history. Common in the 19th century, coal miners risked their lives daily underground due to cave-ins from explosions or serious lung diseases from inhaling the thick coal dust for 12 hours or more each day. And what’s worse is that it wasn’t just a man’s job either. Women and children worked in the mines, with some kids working eight long hours.
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1. Gladiators
When it comes to the most dangerous job in history, though, gladiators are at the top of the list. While all the other jobs are risky, gladiators are essentially beating each other up and killing one another for fun or to try and get out of slavery. Every day, there is a fight where you exert your body, with some fights consisting of wild animals or multiple adversaries trying to kill you. It’s deadly, with high stakes.
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