The textile industry was long a stronghold of child labor. More than 75,000 children 10 to 16 years were employed in textile mills in 1910 – the census did not count those under 10 years.

– Lewis W. Hine in a photo study for the National Child Labor Committee, The New York Public Library.

This young girl's eyes focused on a pair of stockings that she's performing some task on. These stockings are hanging on some sort of machine that she operates. She is seated and has a pile of stockings waiting in her lap. A grown woman is seated next to her doing the same work.

"Nannie, a ... 'looper' in a hosiery mill." Scotland Neck, North Carolina, November 1914.

Adolescent boy, bare feet, short blonde hair, trousers that end at his calves, standing at the back of a spinning machine working on the full spindles. He is covered in threads apparently thrown off by the machine.

"A 'back-roping boy' ... in a New England mill." Burlington, Vermont, May 1909.

Girl at spinning machine, two boys in the background, one of them very small. The girl's hair is braided on the back of her head and neck, held in place by a small box

"This young spinner has been at work two years." Cherryville, North Carolina, November 1908.

Small young girl facing the photographer, behind her part of a big spinning machine. Her feet are bare, her hair tied up, blouse sleeves rolled up, dirty dress or smock with a full work pocket over that.

"An anaemic little spinner in a New England cotton mill." North Pownal, Vermont, August 1910.

Standing at a machine, the boy appears to be replacing a full spindle with an empty one or vice versa. He's wearing a cap, and his pants are held up by some sort of rope.

"A doffer boy." Augusta, Georgia, January 1909.

Images from a photo study by Lewis W. Hine for the National Child Labor Committee, The New York Public Library. Linked captions lead to their respective image pages.