Read the text and find out some more interesting facts about jobs of the past, the present and the future.

JOBS FROM THE PAST

New technology has changed a lot of things and it also created jobs our ancestors would never imagine. It also caused some jobs to disappear. Jobs and services that were once thought to be very important have become unnecessary.

Some of the jobs that no longer exist are: milkman, typist, iceman, elevator operator, knocker-upper, rat catcher, lamplighter, governess, scribe, town crier, press gang and washerwoman. They may sound strange or even funny – but nothing comparing to being a fool. This is not a bad joke – a fool was a man whose job was to entertain a king, a queen, their guests and important persons by making them laugh. And sometimes this wasn't an easy job at all.

Let's peek into the 15th century. Most people were small farmers, who lived on farms. Usually it was the oldest son of the family who would inherit the land. Besides farming, people did other things to support their family, such as spinning wool into thread. Skilled trades were passed from father to son. If a person had more children, it was only one who could take over his parents' business, the rest of them had to find other work. If one wanted to become a clergyman, a lawyer or a doctor they needed good education. Midwives were respected and not every woman could become one.