Arnold Duggan (b. 1923) and Mary Duggan (b. 1922)

Track 1: Arnold Duggan discusses his background, growing up in Vernon Gardens, Clontarf. The hardship for the family resulting from the early death of his father is described, as is his education at a Masonic School in Clonskeagh, boarding from the age of ten. Track 2: Arnold’s memories of joining Jacobs in 1940 at the age of 17 are recounted. He was a junior assistant in the general office, where the staff consisted of 44 women and 3 men. Track 3: Mary Duggan (née Daggs) recalls being one of those female staff, who worked under the supervision of Ned Lee. She had joined Jacobs in 1939. She describes her family background, coming originally from Lucan. Memories of her time spent in the Export Office, under the supervision of Mrs Sparks are recounted, and she discusses the rationing of biscuits during the war years. Track 4: Mary describes the relationship between management and staff, and discusses the social activities provided for staff members. Track 5: A description of the workplace – the geographical challenge and the skills involved in getting the product safely by rail to shops all over the country, often small family-owned businesses in rural areas. Track 6: Mary recalls her resignation from employment on her marriage, as the marriage bar required. Arnold recalls his promotion to the Wages Office where, in the early stages of computing in the mid 1950s, he worked in the Punch Room on card machines.