Pullman Facts No. 3

Advertising booklet for ‘The World’s Greatest Housekeeper.’

4.2 million towels, 2.7 million sheets, 444,000 pillows, 221,000 mattresses – the list of linen and bedding articles aboard Pullman-equipped railcars boggles the mind. The vast housekeeping organization of the Pullman Company is explained in detail within this small booklet (No. 3 in a series of 12), published in Chicago by R.R. Donnelly & Sons around 1929 or 1930.

Ten million pieces of linen are washed, stored, and distributed to passengers across nearly 10,000 different railcars during annual operations. Despite the stereotypical view of a housekeeper presented on the front cover, most of the workers involved were male. Pullman generally resisted hiring female employees, relegating them generally to seamstresses and maids within the company (and booklet).

Sources: WTTW; PrintMag.com;