Census microdata, such as that produced by the NAPP project, can help illuminate interesting issues surrounding work and labor. Investigating the history of work using microdata must begin with the questions asked by the census enumerators about employment. These varied depending on the country and year, but were generally quite simple. For example, the U.S. 1880 census form had two questions pertaining to work, and a third that hinted toward labor as well.

It’s finally here! Seeing Underground: Maps, Models, and Mining Engineering in America, published by the University of Nevada Press, is available in hardcover and kindle editions. I examine how maps and models created a visual culture of mining engineering, helping American mining engineers fashion a professional identity and occupational opportunities for themselves. I’m grateful for all the support and assistance I’ve received as I’ve chased this fascinating history. Here’s the description from the press:

In an earlier post I discussed some of the limitations of full-text searching in digitized copies of historic mining engineering literature, and suggested several historic index publications specific to mining engineering that could be used to augment your search by looking for information the old-fashioned way. Mining engineering information also appeared in historic indexes that covered engineering as a whole. Third-party indexes that cover engineering topics generally include at least some of the more popular mining engineering journals in their coverage.