In the pay offices of the large Solingen cutlery companies the raw materials were handed out to the homeworkers and the parts manufactured by them checked, taken back and the wages paid. The majority of those delivering worked parts were women, often the wives or daughters of the homeworkers.
The company Friedrich Abr. Herder (1727–1993) was one of the largest and world-wide most renowned Solingen cutlery companies. In the representative administration building dating from 1913, which today serves as a business incubator, the LVR-Industriemuseum has reconstructed the pay office. The sophisticated furnishings of this pay office with parquet flooring, the delivery counters and the fitted benches for those waiting indicate the significance once given to outworking at this company. The exhibition adjacent to the cafeteria presents selected items relating to the history of the Herder company and the outworking system in addition to elements of the original furnishings.
Address: Gründer- und Technologiezentrum, Grünewalder Str. 29–31, 42657 Solingen
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 9–17 hours, Friday 9–12 hours. During the business hours of the business incubator (Tel. 0212 2494-0)
Entrance: free
To book: Groups with more than five persons should book in advance through the LVR-Industriemuseum Solingen, Tel.: 0212 232410
