In college in the mid 90s I worked at a Japanese plant that made rubber products. They used huge bags of carbon black. To me, it looked exactly like jet-black flour. Those guys always looked like coal miners.

If only they could wash their lungs as easily.

Until I looked at the original image at the Library of Congress, I did not realize the Shorpy version is altered to change an R-rated image to a PG.

These guys are in great shape, although I'll bet neither one of them has ever worked out or watched his calories.

But you would think their employer would provide them with showers. Giving them a bucket in a sink is insulting.

[Showers, you say? - Dave]

Thanks, Dave. Those 1942 Sunray boys got some fine physiques. Now, I'm guessing the bucket wash was to get the worst of the carbon black off before hitting the showers. That carbon black must have clogged the drain and the septic tank. The water bucket was most likely dumped on the ground outside.

[Or these photos are from different plants -- Moore County's gas fields made it the center of the carbon black industry. - Dave]

I don't think you can "pinch an inch".

More skin than an X rated movie!

Carbon black is officially my new favorite reinforcing agent in the production of automobile tires in the mid 20th century.