Human Alarms: There Existed A Profession In Britain Called Knocker-Uppers.

Long before alarm clocks were affordable to everyone, there existed a profession in Britain called Knocker-Uppers to rouse people early. Even companies hired them to make sure the employees were on time!

Even though the history and evolution of alarm clocks started from the time of Plato, it wasn't reliable and affordable for the general public. When the industrial revolution kicked in, the requirement of manpower rose, company owners wanted their employees to be Eveready.

Hence they hired the knocker uppers. Some used long sticks to bang on windows and doors, while some preferred pea shooting like the one in infographics. They would continue the Alarm until the person dragged himself out of the bed and say stop, I am up!

Knockers were night owls and slept during the day. They were paid weekly by the clients and if anyone refused to pay, they wouldn't knock the following days as a penalty.