The influence of occupations upon the American character stretches from Melville's Moby Dick to Terkel's Working, from the development of the clipper ship to the skills involved in the construction of a modern skyscraper. And although we continue to be influenced by and identified through the work that we do, we know very little about the work done by others. By examining the broad categories of occupational "folklife" and the main ways in which it is expressed, it will be possible to gain a better understanding of its impact upon our lives.

Our occupations demand various kinds of skill and knowledge. Even though the basic techniques may be ...