The good old days never existed in the painting and decorating trade. The roots of the modern profession are encapsulated in The Ragged Trousered Philanthropist set in the early 1900's.

Exploitation was the Key. A Master Painter was literally that, the master lauding It over the workforce, generating maximum effort from the painters and maximum profit from the job. They ruled by fear, fear of losing your job.

Before that period the Guilds ruled the roost. Imagine organising pitched battles against do It yourselfers daring to not employ a craftsman.

The 80's Saw the end of the traditional decorating firm. Everyone ended Up self employed. It was a difficult transition imposed from on high, endured by the working class decorators who never aspired to be "in business".

There is still a long way to go to professionalise the trade so that everyone in It is paid what they are worth, what the job is worth, not by the hours worked. However today the standard of work has never been higher, thanks to the quality of tools and paint - and the democatisation of the trade largely due to the power of the internet.

Independent specialist painters can now demand better from suppliers with the ability to expose poor service and product far and wide. Many independent painters have shared their knowledge freely, pushing Up standards too, like a flywheel. Pro painters can and do earn way more than their bank manager.

All that's needed now for the Next push is getting the trade off of legacy #socialmedia and on to #Nostr. We'll see.

Never been a better time to get a trade,