Nowadays, child labor is by all means illegal – at least on the US territory. But things weren’t always so good for kids. During the Industrial Revolution, children were commonly wanted to do hard works. They were paid very little, had unlimited working hours and thus became way too mature for their age. Here are some of the most disturbing photos of the time…

Jersey City, New Jersey, 1912

A boy who is exhausted after a hard day of delivering newspapers falls asleep down the stairs of a building.

Photo: Universal History Archive/Getty Images

St. Louis, 1910

Three co-workers are having a smoke during their work break.

Photo: Interim Archives/Getty Images

Tampa, Florida, 1909

Left: A boy is smoking a cigar while working in a cigar factory near the city. Right: A girl is captured working at a shrimping dock, while another boy sits on the floor working as well.

Photo: Buyenlarge/Getty Images/Getty Images

Port Royal, South Carolina, 1911

Three girls are posing during their break from working as oyster shuckers at a local seafood canning company. Left to right: Josie (6 years old), Bertha (6 years old) and Sophie (10 years old).

Photo: Buyenlarge/Getty Images

Pittston, Pennsylvania, 1908

In this group portrait, a large group of children are posing as they get ready for work at the Breaker Pennsylvania Coal Company.

Photo: Buyenlarge/Getty Images

Baltimore, Maryland

A child (no older than 10) is carrying loads of cans at a food packing plant.

Photo: Library Of Congress/Getty Images

Somerville, New Jersey, 1912

Two exhausted girls are posing while on break from their jobs as garment workers.

Photo: Getty Images

Maryland, 1909

A berry picker who was only 6 years old is proudly posing for the camera during her break.

Photo: Library of Congress/Getty Images