Ice Cutter
Before refrigeration, ice wasn’t just a convenience—it was a business. Ice cutters ventured onto frozen lakes with saws and picks, carving massive blocks to be stored in insulated warehouses or shipped long distances.
It was bitterly cold, physically brutal, and incredibly risky. Falling through thin ice meant certain death. As refrigeration took off, this dangerous seasonal job melted away—though it lives on in winter festivals for nostalgic fun (minus the frostbite).
