Women Watchmakers at Elgin, 1946

From Elgin National Watch Co

The text associated with this photo reads as follows.

"Because women are patient, artistic and have a delicate touch, the Elgin National Watch Company is encouraging the employment of women workers in their factory here.  Although the company's production force is predominately women, it relies on expert male watchmakers to do technical work on fine watches.  If the present employment drive is successful, the company expects to step up its production schedule 1,000 units a day within three months.  Elgin officials estimate that this could be increased to 2,000 watches daily within six months.  The company attempts to maintain a normal ratio of 54 per cent women watchmakers.  Officials point out that the added force of women would create 500 additional production jobs for men.
"Here Elinor Ridgell, of Waldo, Florida, student at the Elgin Watchmakers' College in this city, is shown at the jeweler's desk working on a wrist watch."

The photo is dates August 2, 1946.