This study will examine the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York in 1911, in the context of both the strikes and sociological factors at play in the events leading up to the fire, and the legislation which resulted in part because of that tragic event. Unfortunately, it often takes an event of a tragic magnitude before gross injustices begin to be seriously addressed by powers-that-be in the society, whether they be powerful economic interests or governmental bodies.
The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire was one such tragedy. The tendency of powerful organizations in society (such as business and government) is to continue to operate as they have in the past, and to move slowly, if at all, in response to changes in society (such as the increasing exploitation of workers, especially female factory workers at the turn of the century). There were individuals in society, in labor, even in business and government, who saw that changes were needed to protect workers, to treat them decently and provide safe and humane working conditions. However, the great machines of corporate and political power will not move to change until it is in their interest to change or until they can no longer resist it. That is why such catastrophes as the Triangle fire are too often necessary to awaken the institutions of society to the need for change.
The fire itself was an event of horror and massive death. The Triangle Company was New York City's largest manufacturer of shirtwaists, or collared blouses for women. The company occupied the eighth through the tenth floor of the building, employing about 500 workers, most of whom were young women, Jewish immigrants from eastern Europe or Catholics from Italy (Gould 19). The building had elevators, two small stairways, and one fire escape. Prior to the fire, however, the building owners had violated no safety codes, primarily because regulations were terribly lax. In addition, the building was said to be fi...