US Stamp Perforating Process

From 1938, showing "400-subject two-way postage stamp perforating machine at the United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing":


This search turns up a few more photos including operators wearing oddball hats to protect their hair:
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/search/...hine&sg=true

In the newspaper printing business, printers & machine operators would make 'hats' from waste material to keep the fine paper dust (from roller friction & cutting, as well as ink spray) out of their hair. I'm sure these ladies were doing the same as the paper dust from the actual cutting & machine friction would be intense. Too bad there were no concerns for respiratory issues as dust masks would probably be appropriate under current OSHA standards.

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Well-found, hy-brasil !

Back in the day, attitudes were different in different ways than we might expect.

For example, many supervisors would have objected to workers covering their faces, period, for any reason.

Of course, the photographers who bring us the evidence would also have objected to their subjects covering their faces

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey