Lancashire, 1852. This is Mary. She’s eight years old. And her hair is about to get caught in the spinning machinery. Mary is a half-timer. She works six hours in the factory, then three hours at school. The law says this is “protection.” It’s not. Her day: ∙ 6 AM: Start factory shift ∙ Cleaning under spinning mule while it’s running ∙ Reaching underneath to collect cotton waste ∙ Long hair hangs loose ∙ No cap Why no cap? ∙ Hair caps cost 2-4 pence ∙ Mary earns 3-4 pence per day ∙ Cap = entire day’s wages ∙ Family can’t afford it ∙ Poverty = safety violation The machinery: ∙ Deafening ∙ Hundreds of spindles rotating full speed ∙ If hair caught: machine won’t stop ∙ Can’t stop ∙ Entire factory runs on one belt system What happens: Mary leans in closer. Just a little more cotton to grab. Her hair brushes the spinning roller. One second later, she’s screaming. The machine has her. Her scalp is ripping away from her skull. The machinery doesn’t stop. Won’t stop for another ...