In the early 1900s, a blouse called the shirtwaist became popular. This demand led to several factories. Max Blanck and Isaac Harris owned one of the most successful factories, the Triangle Shirtwaist Company. The factory was located on floors eight, nine and ten of the Asche building in New York City. 500 workers manufactured shirtwaists six days a week. The employees were mostly young immigrant women, some as young as 14.
Triangle Shirtwaist Company co-owners Max Blanck (left) and Isaac Harris (right). Both were Russian immigrants who began working at sweatshops, and later ran what was considered America's best shirtwaist company.