Being Careful

The Library of Congress has put some great collections of photos up on Flickr. Take a look at the group on the 1930's and 40's. There are some great photos of "Rosie the Riveter" women building various implements of war, especially aircraft. (Note: the photos do look staged, or at least they gave the women a chance to freshen their lipstick before the shoot.)

Type the word "careful" into the search box at the top and you'll get an idea of that era's nervousness about having women work on technology, and the qualities that women were seen as bringing to the job. (Hint: it's not innate mechanical ability.) These women really did show that "we can do it." Training, schmaining -- just give me a power tool and turn me loose!