How did Breaker Boys contribute to the coal mining process?
Frequently Asked Question about the extinct profession: Breaker Boy
Breaker Boys were young boys, often as young as 8, who worked in coal mines during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their primary role was to separate impurities from coal as it was processed in breaker houses. This labor-intensive task was crucial for improving coal quality, but it exposed them to hazardous working conditions and health risks.